The Express.
London, England, 1858-05-03 00:00:00

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PINE AR7B.

lEHTHITION Or THE ROYAL ACADEMY.
The present year's Exhibition in Trafalgar-square
searepre the impression, at the private view on Friday, of
big usamelly attractive. The Academy itself is better re-
reseeksil them we remember to have seen it for meant
swam ; some of the members, whom we scarcely expected
le most et all, as Sir Edwin Landeeer, have very ogreish',
illeeppshood as. The rising, but untitled men, aim evidence
la air astributions °wanned advancement, excepting in
die ease of the two leaders of pre-Rephaelitiam. One of
theee-14. Militia—found that he could not, in time for the
Academy, finish with the care and elaboration he bestows
am ell Ns works, a large picture—" The Return of the
Cresaders"—apon which he is engaged ; and as for the
other—Hr. Hanna Hant—it is difficult to speculate whoa
his great picture of " Christ in the Temple" will be reedy
for exhibition. A good deal of pre-Rephaefite talent hes
bean likewise diverted from the production of easel ;team
for exhibition., by the employment afforded in the numerous

well paintings now in progress at Oxford. Of pictures,
met especially in the figure departuiset, whose subjects
will furnish topics for conversation, them are in this
year's gathering • very large proportion. The portraits are
so numerous ea usual, and not less nerborions. Tbs land-
scape painters are still the principal dam of artists who
absent themselves., and overrun other exhibition', or lean-
viva In water-odours, with the nebizrealy exciptke of the
Ise poor a ulptors who still pine an lewhaish in their =tam-
able dim.

Thin ars airy ber Initinital *km in this Exhibition,
and the prisms of two or Etna astable works of this
asariptisa miselkd as koreitly—so less than the pars)
oisarditt alai in this higher breach of art—that Insiarissi
pi*. Is Bagisad has, when we oaten area this stay
asaftriss at car iambi all fall of nearly asiparenaisd pia
11111 sad hairnet, inn with warpradagly Mlle
. . . ...

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ensenesoment deadopest. If we meameste the works
ensented in the 14th matey, haendlng the decoration of the
"aid pointed timber " at Weelmienter, Ely, and one or
SW ether cathedrals, the nemereas paintings executed
in the brilliant reign of Edward 111. in St. Stephen's
Masi end elsewhere, •ad—feafo interrollo —the spirited
prefect of Alderman Boydell in his Shekspeare gallery, sad
hotly, the recent decoration of the Hon.. of Lords—we have
almost exhausted the list of works of art pretending to any-
thing like n►tional character or interest. Indeed what
should be understood by historical painting is very ill defined.
Of the highest broach, whose charecteristice are grandeur
and simplicity, and purity of outline, and that oompletenees
of form which more especially belongs to sculpts*, we have
samelly • single example. Even if we lower this highest
stenderd of sterner art, and merely contend for elevation of
eabjest, snob as nand narratives, incidents from history, or
themes ham the posts, It is quite humiliating to think
how Sew poisters we can point to, especially in
our own thee, wise support the dignity and
honour of their prolhetion by • noble effort to rise like
hilts to "this high argument" We suppose the esplana-
des Is to be had in the probability that they would mist
but with Eliten's reward. The want of patronage fur heroic
works has, pertieularly since the time of Wilkie, compelled
artists who wield not confine theinselite to portraiture,
landscape, or salmi pillaging, to a oompromies with their
=bides in the.. smismious pictures with more Weiler
subjects for which wettest borrowed the French word pram.
This result her bum brought about, we suspect, is some
measure, by pongees and inconsiderate public criticism.
Mr. Ruskin is aSeguado with exaggerating the importance
of man copying, and sinking the painter to the level of the
photegrepier, MAW at seeking to raise him into the poet ;
bat Mr. Itsain's imitators in the public pew have
apparently sought to degrade the painter still further.
Allegory, for instance, so constantly employed by the
poet, Is entirely proscribed to t►e painter, because, fonoodt,
It doss net suit this "practical and common-swe " age.
Alm Danis and Talmo, and Spencer and Dryden no Jaeger
reedy and has the Pagrim'a Program lost its popularity?
Why If each opinions are entertained we might Imitate
the priests of rid, and make bonfires of our bibles in the
perks and mares—for no book is so full of allegory.
In were instenoes, however, artists have listened to the
voice of their own natural aspirations, and, though within
freers or cabinet proportions, have produced works of historic
interest. Of such artists Mr. Ward is a distinguished ex-
ample. We rejoice to have to welcome in this Exhibition
three pictures by this painter quite above the level of room
These are the oil painting of the " Cosesbnest of the
Fugitives, by Alice Lisle, after the Battle of Sedgessortr, fen
the reign of James II." (488), the fresco of which le now
morticed up at the New Palace, Westminster, sad the
two pictures commiesioced by the Queen—the " inelastic&
of the Emperor of the French Into the Order of the Oster"
(35) sad " Queen Victoria at the Tomb of Napoleon" (264).
The first is entitled to primary consideration : the painter
who revivifies the past standing in the Isms relation to the
magi who commemorates the present as doss the historian

to the ehronicler. The fresco of Alice Lido has, in amid-
es's with the practice of the old masters, and to quit ita
derksned situation, a light background, but the background
to, in the oil painting, very deep in tone, as at once sppro-
piste to the subject and the oil medium. The description of
the subject given by Macaulay is that more directly followed,
and the particular purge detailing the incident will be found
in the catalogos. Tits expression of Alice is very noble and
drumatic, and her widow costnme (properly at that time old-
locklaned) very simple, ladylike, and suitable, not forgettiog
the cavalier's portrait for a brooch. The sentiment of torti-
llas is admirably expressed in her whole attitude, as ohs
&MMus rather than leans on her staff with bar
gym reined to heaven, remotions of bar perilous
pukka, but fully prepared to meat the fat* that
wen= her, sa the first victim of the "bloody
rim ;" unmoved at the unnemesary and eager alo-
ha°, of the officer at her side and his companions;
end =intimidated by clenched fiat, drawn sword, pointed
. . .

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salmi, ce pls. Thee is perhaps a little too nook genies-
leeks in thee figures, more especially in the servant Im-
ploringly on her knee. The large scale of this picture
awe to salt Mr. Weed's broad and rapid etyle of execution
letter than the amps sith of the other works la which hie
Seems brush la ad sellehetly retrained to much the
&Shiley of ads am mirth. details. Hen we hen also a
eatlefying falser end break of effect, Impressive depth of
tone. and a enagenty trealnesat and out of the draperies,
which we do an Sri se lemeastely la the matter *tares.
The first lespreithea of the repreemeleiths of the " Loral-
laths" Is neer diseppaiedsp. The sone appose hes
spinal than we should have saticipated. This apparently
inelspilloant effect, however, arise, from no fault of the artist,
but Ls to be attributed to the contracted dimensions of the
chamber at Windsor in which the investiture is held. Some
!allowance also most be made for the difficulty of dealing with
contemporary subjects, for though the knowledge and tact
necessary for breathing life into the dry bones of the past, as
is the " Alice" episode, is not here necereary, yet it is w-
ham still more arduous to remove the common-place cha-
racter of present events, which mere familiarity with will
degrade, however dignified, and debase, however heroic.
The point of time chosen is that when, the ceremony having
been coachman!, and the insignia of the ancient and most '
distinguished order of knighthood in Europa placed by her
Majesty on the pence of the Emperor, he took the hand of
the Queen with the' intention of kissing it, which she did
sot, however, permit, but, as is usual en each occasions be-
tween sovereigns, gave biro a salute on both cheeks.
no assess ',its with a Look of quiet satisfaction ander boo
bee* eyelids es she abstractedly unfurls a brilliantly-
pined fin of Spanish pripertiona. By her side will he sr
'WSW the Pam* Refol. though he beck only is to be
sea, (This Isms was sussed, we ham, horseback made
by the arsalsemeelL) lead the Shiest& is rich bias sirs
sevens. will be Bethel la sesembis the late Lord Ellsessem,
Led amenhin, the Magi of Immisernii, the late Priam
• Likftegn, ae nkhop of Mend (aciating), Lady Cas-
ale. and 11111 BUIS'', of Weasels' (la attendance on the
QIN*. SO Dubs of Wellrapen mad Cambridge, Earl de
Oeey, Lod Aberdsre, and the Dena of Windsor. The per
• santhent of the figures is nicely observed, sell the
carsilki, theme\ Whir 'obi', is yet Heal and berenthioun
Is the " Vhit be the Tomb et Napless" Yr. Weed bas
mesh* le thew ewer that reserkabb yeast (which 14
wee tatty hoped would eel sadthel reecsalsthe) se
addlticsal peakel Stara d eistertal ahem by

tellies edveiste et theestemiellembeet efrenaletemes. 'Il,
peselhei wiry le the Clem Is Mars, it ea be r•••
membered, bed ten pretrethei me that the visit wee ee
1 WWII espeethi; the tem e the tomb is the crypt

of the InnMee bed bra allowed to go out ; ad whew
the rely our is hot here from the singrarly ednekleme
Cora which had bream err them, there tree bat few
lights dimly burning. The Asa in the Mews is impres-
sive ; bet the darer and artificial light gives • black
heavy bee, essearing Me the horny French oolouufng of
the sehoel at David, whisk is net pleasing, though, of course,
inewleable. We cannot help remaking that the Queer is
ears to look askant at the Lopmer rather dubiously, and
the fightabog seems to glees angrily though the
portal as if at some insincerity. TM card of the Invalids.,
attended by an acolyte, very draortratively buries his face
in his hands before the black marble sarcophagus, with its
emblematical silver star, its memorials, and its IMMO/0 ael,
I and offers up a prayer for the perpetuation of the
At the sides are grouped Count d'Ornano, the governor of
the Invalids., (the only survivor of the Adieux de Fontaine-
blew) Lord Cowley, Lady Ely, the Princess Royal, the
Primer Mullikin Penes Albert, and the Prince of Weir.
Mrs. Ward, the wits of the Academician, has attempted
with perfect success a higher class of subject than heretofore,
In the affecting scene from Mr. Hepworth Dixon's " Life of
Howard," in which, with a strong presentiment of being
about to lay down his life on him intended errand of mercy to
Rau* the philanthropist takes leave of his tenants at Car-
tilages, whom he had so much benefited. All the iscidents
mud ocossearies in the picture are tastefully roses, dud
the colouring Is particularly ptomains, breathing, as it were,
of pre country air and benedoence. Mr. Ward's *am
keno, we undentead, bean purchased by Mr. Bally, for en-
graving.

The most popular picture in the Exhibition will probably
be Mr. Frith's very elaborate and bewildering repre-
sentation of Epsom Baca on " The Derby Day"
(318). Mr. Frith's Maine will receive a visit from at
Teen all the " fast" me sad men &boat town, to are if they
ass rectapies the portraits of themselves or any cf their
Maeda. The peat merit of this artist'. " Margate Sands,"
exhibited three years duos, annually raised high expecta-
tions in mamma to that work, upon which Mr. Frith has
been known to be engaged during the pester part of
the last two years. Many beta and " books," we dare say,
were made upon the " event" of its exhibition. Compared
with the Margate picture, it is no lees artlstioslly
clever, and finished with equal dainty delicacy of
touch; but it has little of the pure and exqui-
site humour which won inch general admiration for the
former. Mr. Frith, may however, reasonably plead that the
subject is warmer and the fun neoemarily " fester and more
furious " than that of the more leisurely Cockney vacation at
the watering place. The picture is certainly more of the
" Sherry, Sir?" and "Coming, Sir I" school. For the de-
lineation of characters such as Longues, guardsmen, pawn-
brokers, real swells, sad the swell mob, which only the west-
end habitue will properly discriminate—for greedy gambling,
animation, and effervescing champagne excitement, as well as
for light, air, and sunshine, this extraordinary work can
hardly be too much eulogised. But all this can be, if such a
some hes ones been witnessed, far mere easily Imagined than
described. Two or three incidents only shall we offer as
samples. We are platted on the hill maids the
barriers—the jockeys are mustering their horses,
and some taking a preliminary canter. In front
of a carriage full of unquestionable ladies kneels an acrobat,
stretching out his arms, inviting the leap of has young child ;
bat the little starveling heeds him not, his hungry
gess losing entirely absorbed by a hamper of luxuries
from Fortnum and Mason's, the unpacking of which
has caught his eye. On the roof of a " drag," occupied by
dissipated men and loom women, one of the " fellows," him-
self unmistakably on stilts, is pouring out a glass of cham-
pagne for 'little girl on stilts; but one of the women restrains
him, having even now a Dense of pity beyond her fast friend.
A chevalier if isedri.trir and knight of the knuckle, in the ahem'
of a thimble-rigger, hasjust "cleared out" a ample dupe, two
of the very ands of whose shirt are gone, and • Scotch
sharper and Jew swindler areexaniining his watch and chain.
Thom confederates of dm thimble-rigger are no less ably in-
dividualised than are • bully with whip and bull-dog, sad
three others, disguised as • smirking Quaker, • fashionable
gentleman, and a country farmer, the latter dis-
playing a note, which he pretends to stake, in
order to tempt a real unsophisticated countryman—whom

his sweetheart tries to restrain—to follow his example. In an
open bsrouche sits, like a crushed and withered flower, a
splendidly dressed but evidently wretched English "tea-
vista," under the protection of a heartless rich coxcomb and
thorough " gent," who looks with in/treble indifference at a
bouquet offered by • flower-girl. She listens to an artful old
gipsy, who has contrived to awaken some forgotten saaocia-
tio•e, which once more agonise her wounded heart. There is
• slight anachronism between the costumes, which are
of the prevent day, and the thimble-rigging to which we
have alluded, which has not been seen thus openly for at
teeth two years, any mon than the rouge-et.neir and hazard
booths and prick-in-the-garter tablas Mr. Frith has intro-
duced. Some of the incidents an Hogarthian, but Mr.
Frith is too neat and pretty t give as much of Hogurth's
force of character, depth of meaning, or humour; for this
lemon all his women are better than his men. Mr. Onnbard
—at present our most munificent patron of art—has, we
hear, for 3,000 guineas, become the owner of this picture,
including sketch and copyright, and ham engaged his country-
man, Mr. Blanchard, to engrave it.
Oar madam will rejoice to hear, after his serious
illness of last year, that Sir Edwin Landeeer has sent
two very remarkable contributions to the Exhibition.
The first night be • companion to the famous " Shoeing."
It is a picture of a Flemish farmstead. A girl is
seated milking • cow, and although her heed is averted
you see plainly In the pleasure sparkling in her eye
that she listens with no small satisfaction to something the
young fellow on 641414 at the door is saying, while he seems
to be abstractedly owing her name on one of the uprights of
the shed. Her absorbed attention is taken advantage of by
a mischievous magpie, who is quietly dragging away a spoon
which has bees *toed in • sabot, and thus the old fable is
illustrated, end the title of the picture, " The Maid and the
Magpie" (180),adloded. The quiet satiefaction in the turn
of the sow's heed and the foreshortening of her hind quarters,
the'msuk•ayed calf, and the drowsy goats feeding, are perfect,
bat there is • eielein bloom and woolinese in the execution
which we have net remarked in former works of the anat.
Sir Edwin's sidenisidag rapidity and certainty of execution
may, however, bases to great advantage in the large study
in coloured shallot of " Desr-etalking" (No. 800), and still
loom plathly then la the whisk of the brush in the oil pic-
tom. The stubby Miters of the red dew browsing, the more
I welly sad eves ousts of the hind and fawn, and the sheen
on the bieth eock in the foreground, are discriminated with
the Month nicety. The flat dead surface given by the chalk
Is also admirably suited for the representation of the grey
mountain mists, no less than the stronger markings are for the
warm vegetstion and the square malt* Wes of the Highland
stmersits. The heads of the deer-stalkers peering above the
locks, sad attracting the both* of the deer, are very expressive.
Mr. Egg, like Mr. Frith, has found employment for hie
pencil in depicting the actualities of every-day life, but has
given us instead of a gay crowded tableau • fine ethical
poem. He has affixed no DUO to his stern story, but for
thole who cannot read it in the picture its painful interest
may be further ascertained from the extract of a fictitious
diary. It is divided Into three compartments. The centre
ens mimeses an hveniedial catastrophe which has Mien
upon • peaceful, happy home. In hie comfortable arm chair
in the midst of • tastefully-furnished apartment sits the
husband and tether, in speechless dismay and anguish, hold-
ing in his hand • note, in, we will suppose, his wife's head-
writing, and with his foot stamped on a miniature which
together have conveyed to him the evidence of ►er die-
honour. She has fallen 'Medic with shame at his feet,
while in the baskgroend two little gide, her children.
startled at the scans, have thrown dove the card house
they were btuldlag. The fearful commemorate, after
the lapse of some years, are pourtrayed in the two aide com-
partments. In the on the wretched outcast mother, sunk
through varies* steps of depravity, is now seen crouching
at night behind the shattered remiss of • boat in one of the
dry anima of the Adel*, as we learn from the 'petrel
moonlit that tower in the diem* end Waterloo-bridge,
with tea meellsetione of 'aikido. The legs den intent pre-
tend, from seder her sitawh ithe is looking reetersedelly at
the mom, rammitramen of other children and of the

days el be; lanoesuey streepize over the euheoquent beU el
memery. Is the ethos' aomperumeat the cadres are NM
stow perdelly emus up. The 'mbar has died a lacer
bona was, sad they have removed from dr siajaatly hr-
ilia km Nampa** ltdrinr. The rawest is mire loom
praybs tit& be bled burled ia bar &Ws lap. Bat tba