The Express.
London, England, 1861-03-07 00:00:00

LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, MARCH 7, 1861.

PINE ARTiI:

SALE OF THE wozios OF TRZ LATE A. E.
CHALON, ILA., AND J. J. CHALON, ILA.
• • -

Now that the lent of the brothers Chalon is no
more, and that the productions of them over-rated artiste,
offered according to the will of the departed to Use National
ilallery, have been very properly declioed, they will be sold
at Messrs. Christie and Manson s, on Monday next and four
following days, and may be viewed to-day, to-morrow,
and Saturday. It may excite surprise that the sale shouts
be arranged to extend over des days, but the "lots" Dumber
upwards of 1,200, each comprising from 100 to evilly WO
items. Besides the innumerable productions in every con-
ceived style—miniature sketches of all kinds, water-
' colour drawings, studies, and finished paintings in
oil of the two Chairs there is • very large
collection of the emirs of the famous Sketching
Society, besides books, engravings, and books of prints.
If fecundity were the only criterion of an artist, then would
the Chalons, and especially the eider, be placed in the first
oink, second only perhaps to Turner himself. It is, how-
ever, difficult to imagine at this time of day what peculiar
chum could be discovered in the water-colour drawings of
the veteran sketcher Alfred Chalon. Vet these flimsy
meretricious productions were idolized by the depraved taste
of defunct fashion, they were immeosly popular when en-
graved, and upon them • reputation was founded which
secured the full academic diploma. It is true that this
was in the early days of the Academy, and also of water-
colour drawing. One thing is nevertheless quite certain,
namely, that Alfred Chalon, R.A., never could draw a
head. There is always something Chinese, angular
uLd incorrect about the general proportions and
coutour r well as individual fearer aotwithstaad-
ing that the artist attempted so little character
or individuality. A French smartness, which passed for
elegance, is the chief merit diacoverable—ll indeed such a
quality 4110111VANI to he so considered. The Berm brother,
J. J. Chaim, though likewise incapable el finish, was • far
better artist. He has left several large landscapes, which
have fine qualities, in some instances even nearly approaching
Turner in his early style. In subject, they are alternately
simple and natural, striking or impresaire, Moder and
romantic in feeling. They vary from simple rustic scenes,
sea prom, and architecture, to poetical composition. The
colour is generally rich and glowing, and merlon/11y,
doubtless very beautiful. With many technical defects,
the ~ipaito is nevertheless always bold and effective and the
shadows juicy. Landscape was decidedly this painter's/err
Coquestionably, however, the roost interesting portion of
the sale will be • very large collection of the works of the
famous Sketching Society. These sketches range from the
earliest days of the society, and bear the names of several
aaidemicans deemed and almost forgotten, but they also
include beautiful examples of Leslie, Sir Edwin Lanclaeer,
Stanfield, Ward, wins. and the Chalons themselves, who
were roost felicitous in this department. The Royal
Amilemecians during • long period adopted the custom of
meeting alternately at each other's house for the purpose of
sketching • given impromptu subject in a stated time, the
sketches so executed remaining the property of the member
at whose bones the meeting took place. In this way (for the
moat part), in a long course of years, the elder Chalon be-
came posesseed of this remarkably rich rid interesting
eollection.

Siti.otlea PICTC RIM or J eituseLExi. —The two
large pictures of " Jerusalem in her Grandeur," with the
triumphant entry of Christ, and "Jerusalem in her Fall,"
as now viewed from the Mount of Olives, by Mr. *lours,
which we reviewed on their original exhibition in the City,
will be oe view to the public at the gallery, 5, Waterloo-
place, during the present and ensuing mouth.
PORTRAIT OF GARIBALDI.—AT. Jones Barker has
executed a full length portrait of " Garibaldi in hie Island
Honie,Caparra," which is now lobe seen at Messrs. Jens ings',
Cheapsisle, preparatory to being engraved. The picture is
did to have been painted from nature and photographs made
expressly for the work. Like all Mr. Barker's perform-
moss this portrait smack' of the superficial school of ar-
tistic manufacture, although the bead u evidently finished
with unusual ear.. The head appears, judgi bete the
soured of cawsparide with which all are ,tobe a
good Mende. The general stands (albeit not very firmly
posed) on • rock jutting out Into the sea ; a goat--a doakey,
by the way, would have been inure suggestive—browses
quietly at his feet. The blue Mediterranean stretches be-
fore the meditating patriot•hero far away to the mat of
Sardinia and the range of the Maritime Alps..
MORON ART.—Au auction of English pictures
and drawbars took place yesterday, at Messrs. Fader's, in
Pall-mall, which wlised nearly 2,5001. Anwar the pic-
tures, two half-learth Spanish Agues, by Phillip, sold at
P 22 vibes. sad 395gaiaeas ; two cattle pieces, by Sidney
Cuomo, 178 yawns and 155 plasm ; an early work by
Egg, 95 guineas ; sad ethos vary* from 31:1 seMsas to 80
guineas. A drawing, " Sanest at Oaverelism." by Dear
eau, sold for 41 sulasse, and two by Topbani as $0 plasm
mak

Itioxtrazirr To ma Lass Rs'. JOAN ANazu.
JAMES. —Mann. &shoo and Soo, of York, have had en-
trusted to than the execution of a monument to the memory
of the late Bev. J. Angell James, the well•known lode
dent mumbler at fart's-lane Chapel, Birmingham.
monument is pow completed, and will shortly be placed in
the chapel when the rev. gentleman preached for 55 years.
It i. of Carrara marble. in the lonic style, and is a worthy
tribute to one of the greatest dissenting ministers of
England.