The Express.
London, England, 1851-02-10 00:00:00

FINE ARTS.

THE BRITISH INSTITI:TION.

This exhibition, to-day open to the public, is a
decided advance on those of former years, Yet, in
observing with satisfaction a higher standard of
general excellence, one cannot but admit the absence
of any very striking individual efforts. This vener-
able institution is, in fact, only just recovering from
the ill effects of that rule which excluded, as
unworthy all works previously exhibited. That
this veto has been beneficial in the main, seems
now perfectly clear, as it has called forth
fresh talents to replace the veterans who retired in '
dudgeon. Some of these it is pleasant, nevertheless,
to find still faithful to their favourite posts. Inskipp,
after a brief absence, returns with his swarthy corn-
plezioned maidens, half a dozen of whom divide
their charms in the three large rooms; Mr. Roth-
well, also a staunch contributor, sends over some
maniples of Hibernian beauty. This artist is like the
actor who still fondly lingers on the stage, on which
he formerly won his laurels. (PM) " A First Flower
Offering," and (461) "The Ballad Singer," evince
much of the freshness of the virgin tints for which i
most of his works are conspicuous. With the same
genial Ponifilklitalgtace c life.Sa-144 owa vs
Those who pretend to know, have told us. that the
fruits of Paradise, though of one form, and one
colour, were of dissimilar taste. Something of the
same kind may be said of Mr. Lance's fruit-pieces—
ever admirable in finish and harmonious colour-
ing, there is a provoking family likeness in all,
width can only be ascribed to their coming from
the garden of Eden. " Fruit" is the simple but
suggestive title which this artist gives to his most
elaborate productions—luxuries in every sense of the
term. With a handling equal to Van Huysum,his
method of composition has taste and truth, which his
butch predecessor knew not.
Not the least interesting feature of this exhibition
is to be found in the happy manner in which pre-
vious veins of thought have been worked up or em-
broidered upon by successful artists. Mr. Sant, who
kat year won merited applause for his figure of
" Astronomy," follows it this year by that of " His-
tory," which is in every respect equal to the first,
though it lucks the contrasted effect of the flesh
tones against the azure sky, equally bold and ef-
fective, which characterised that production. It
is not alone the identical dimensions of the can-
vass or its circular frame, that constitute its right
ill IMO panionship with a former work; but it
Is is the morbillczas of its handling and of its im-
pels In a work so full of talent as is undoubtedly
lids figure of " History," it is nevertheless curious to
'berm how little the charms of colouring and skilful
draughtsmanship can redeem the errors of taste. The
passages of flesh-modelling, such as the head, arms,
and hands, are touched with a mastery, which only
make one regret the more both slovenly and hasty
touches of accessories. The hair, the belt, the missal,
the drapery are delineated in a style which gives a
trivial appearance to a work which is much the reverse.
Mr. Sant evident shines in contrasts; two smaller
subjects, "Light and "Shade," are like those little
panels on which Sir Joshua lavished all his grace
when he took refuge from the tedium of portrait-
painting. Mr. G. Stanfield, who occupies the same
nook he did last year, has also brought forth twins;
the view of "Punt-y-pair, Bettws-y-Coed, North
Wales," bears the stamp of nature, though a trifle too
him; we like the total absence of after-touching,
which gives this artist's productions an air of truth-
fulness, to which the twilled canvas aids in no slight
measure. The landscape department is otherwise by
no means of a sterling character in the present exhi-
bition. A breezy bit on the " Zuyder Zee," by A.
Montague, attracts notice.
But in regard of the rest of the landscapes,
whether it be that the sun has not shone on the
fields with its habitual brilliancy, or from other
causes, the harvest is unsatisfactory.. One picture,
however, by its size and hybrid touches, evinces the
joint labour of Creswick and Ansdell; the former
being as successful in delineating the undulating lines
of remote vistas as the latter in giving prominence
to his foreground groups of cattle. Somehow,
as one looks on this picture of " England, a day
in the country," a conviction crosses the mind
that its combined skill will some centuries hence
be a puzzle to unfledged connoisseurs; but
into whatever land it and the works of these two
masters may stray, " England" will be at once as re-
cognisable as the Zuyder Zec in Vandevelde's marines
pieces, or the environs of Rome in Claude's arid
grounds.
The landscapes of the Danbys have such a family
likeness that one is scarcely expected to distinguish
one from another. They have produced some most
wondrous sunsets, which have baffled feebler pencils.

CARDINAL WIsEMAN AT ST. JOHN's-WOOD.—
Yesterday Cardinal Wiseman prcarhed a sermon, at
the Roman Catholic Church, St. John's-wood, in aid
of the fund+ for the erection of a convent, to which
_ .