A TRAVELLER AT BERLIN. I33 



is mafterly, and the allegories introduced into his hifto- 

 rical pieces, difcover a lively imagination, as the other 

 parts of the composition fhew an accurate and fcientiftc 

 knowledge of hiftory. It is now four years ago that he 

 executed a fuite of paintings, nearly equal in lize, re- 

 prefenting the moft memorable occurrences of the 

 Brandenburg hiftory ; a work performed with great 

 judgement, and deferving of more attention than to be 

 left hanging fo long in the apartments of the artift. 

 He has had frequent opportunities of felling lingle parts 

 of it at very good prices ; but he prefers to keep them, 

 in hopes, one day or other, of being able to difpofe of 

 the entire collection. In Berlin there are likewife va- 

 rious public works of this artift. In the gar rifon- church 

 there are four pieces by him, which were executed by 

 the king's order, for perpetuating the like number of 

 liis generals ; but I muft confefs that I do not rank 

 thefe amongft his moft capital performances. In the 

 church of St. Mary we are fhewn a large altar-piece by 

 him, and two other paintings, one over each of the 

 doors adjoining to the altar ; all three evince the hand 

 of a mafter. If they mould adopt in Berlin the excel- 

 lent Italian tafte of ornamenting the cielings of ante- 

 chambers and halls with paintings, the art would be a 

 great gainer by it, and Rode would have an opportunity 

 of ftill farther perpetuating his fame. In the new pa- 

 lace at Potfdam there are already fome plafonds embel- 

 lifhed by his pencil, and fome by that of Frifch. 



Here is at prefent a Courlander, of the name of 

 Darbes, who is a very good hand at portrait-painting ; 

 it is hoped that he may find inducements to remain 

 here, as Berlin has great caufe to be fatisfled with him. 



k 3 The 



