THROUGH SWEDEN. 
i 57 
CHAPTER IX. 
The annual Exhibition of Figures at Stockholm—Academy of Paint - 
ing and Sculpture—Account of fome diflinguifhed Painters , and 
their Productions—Some Works of the Dilettanti. 
r | 'TIE exhibition of pi&ures at Stockholm every year, in the 
•'*“ month of February, is a fubjeCt of elegant amufement as 
well as inftrudlion. It is open to every one, and nothing is paid 
for admittance. Here the gentlemen and ladies of Stockholm 
affemble in crowds, in order to encourage, by their approbation 
and applaufe, the efforts of genius. It is no fmall praife to fay of 
this collection, that it is well worthy to be feen by foreigners of 
every country as well as Swedes. Here is perceived, at one view, 
the Rate of the arts in Sweden; and you are enabled not only to 
form fome opinion of the powers of the artifts, but alfo of the ge¬ 
neral tafte and judgment of the nation. Every one declares his 
fentiments with regard to the pieces without referve, though there 
be always fome lady or gentleman who takes the lead, and directs 
the general tone of praife or cenfure. What is not a little curious, 
the painters themfelves are frequently prefent, and very bufily em¬ 
ployed in attempts to guide the public judgment, I noticed one 
artift 
