The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-05-10 00:00:00

MR. GRATTAN'S PICTURES.

We have been favoured with a private view of this Ex-
hibition, which opens this day to the public, et the
' Western Arcade, Bond-street. The Exhibition principally
consists of the works.of an Artist, who gave early promise
of superior and original talents in landscape and historical
painting. He died at the early age of twenty-seven, so
that as he could net well have the advantage of " sigisfi
anroorani lurribratimees- for the completion of his several
performances, it is not to be wondered at if some of them
present a somewhat imperfect and unfinished appearance,
It is impossible, however, to visit this interesting collection,
without being struck with the great and ver/ creditable
industry by which a man at so young an age painted a
whole gallery of pictures, 'comprising almost all varieties
of styles of drawing, with decided success in some, and
with a promise of success in all.
There is a novelty in this exhibition, as presenting the
most accurate views of Irish scenery, which hare hitherto,
perhaps, appeared in London. There is a series of paint-
ings in the collection, consisting of the most attractive and
prominent landscapes that abound around t be romantic lake
of Killarney, which are sketched with admirable fidelity.
The best painting In-the collection is, fie rrisA Peasant's
Feet filer. The despondent and heart-broken visage of the
peasant—the affectionate assiduity with which the poor
partner of his wretched roof attendsro her children, who in
gay light-heartedness around her, and the poverty
that oppresses them, as exhibited in their little furniture,
their covering, &c. is a just representation of the condi-
tion of the Irish peasantry; nay, more—it is a powerful
and erecting commentary on that condition, sail

" Speaks mere eloquently for pity
Than all the preachers of the city."
In the management of aerial perspective, Mr. Grattan seems
to have arrived almost at the perfection of his art. There
is a very pleasing landscape Of shefy in perspective, and of
a peasant-boy and girl iu the fore-ground. reposing in the
summer shade. The figures are painted in small ilitnen.
*ions, but beauty,lwalth, and rustic simplicity, are happily
blended together in the female figure. There are several
historical pieces in the collection, which exhibit great
originality in the design: the artist did not the to complete
the execution of many of thew. The prevent collection
has been brought over from Ireland by the surviving
brother of Mr. Grattan, who is himself an artist, and we
understand 'misted in the painting of some of these ; be
has placed sonic performances of his own in the exhibition.
Ile has placed them, as well as the paintings of his brother,
before a very fair and a very discerning tribunal—the
London public, a tribunal that not only judges justly, but
that impartially patronizes and liberally rewards real merit.

Mr. Dowton, w•e understand, is about to visit the United
States. Mr. Price, the American manager, offered Mr.
Braham ten thousand pounds, secured on the Dank ofi
Ettclan4l, for twelve months engagement. Mr. Webb, the
Irish comedian, has received an etier for America.