The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-05-18 00:00:00

FINE ARTS.

Among the paintings of the Dutch, Italian, and Flemish
schools, to be sold by Mr. Phillips to-morrow, are many of
a very superior class. The names of IlryNAts rs, DE HOOO,
VANDERNEER, REMBRANDT, Teniers, Van Huy.rum, are
secure of attraction ; and to these, the present collection
adds many others of the first-rate celebrity. The splendid
BOUQUET, in a vase, enriched by a bas-relief of Cupids,
upon a marble slab, with a bird's nest near it, formerly in
the Hesse Cassel collection, may be placed among the
chef cfccuvres of this great artist. The Landscape, by DE
Kornai°, representing a bird's eye view in the vicinity of
Brussels, is a forcible and impressive delineation of nature.
The small landscape by WYNANTS, with figures by
A. V. Vstns, from St. Victor's collection, is a valuable
specimen of this master; as is likewise the landscape,
illumined by arising sun, by VA xmcaNtra. The rural
scene by II oust m• has all that picturesque effect, and all
those delightful associations of nature, which no one has
given so happily or so often as himself. There are many
other pictures of great excellence, to which we might
advert, but they may be safely left to establish their own
claims.

EXHIBITION OF MR. MARSDEN*C PICTURE,

IN TUE QUADRANT, REGENT-STREET.

Mr. Marsden, a young artist of considerable promise,
has now submitted to the public a large picture on a histo-
rical subject. Feeling deep interest in the development of
national genius in the Fine Arts, we availed ourselves of !
an early opportunity of going to view this painting ; and,
having formed our most deliberate and dispassionate judg-
raent upon it, we proceed to state our opinion to our readers,
and to request them to verify or refute it by their own in-
spection.
The subject selected is the faith of the Centurion, in pe-
titioning our Saviour to come and heal his servant (St.
Matt. viii. 5). The choice of a subject is, in our opinion,
perhaps the most essential preliminary step to the produc-
tion of a good picture, and we must say the artist has, in
this respect at least, avoided the fault which, in litnine,
often renders useless all the subsequent skill and labour of
the painter. The subject here chosen combines an exem-
plification of several grand and elevated qualities, which
are well embodied in the principal characters—divine dig-
nity, power, and condescension, on the one hand ; and
humility and faith, on the other—well contrasted with the
marks of worldly authority, contemplation, devotion, and
earnestness, in one set of the attendant personages, and
curiosity and doubt in the other. Here are the elements of
a fine composition, and they are worked up in a design
which is worthy of them. The grouping is excellent; and
the expression, both of feature and attitude, is, in general,
very correct and forcible. The figure and countenance of
the Centurion is that which strikes us most ; and, next to'
him, the group of disciples in the back ground, which
(without intending any unmeaning compliment) we do not
hesitate to say is truly Raphaelian. The failure (a point
in which Raphael tailed) is in the head and face of our
Lord ; the features do not convey an idea of adequate sub-
limity ; and the shape of the head is somewhat ungraceful,
rising too much at the crown; but the tints are good and
harmonious, and the draperies admirable:—the style of
outline possesses a pleasing softness, and, upon the whole,
the composition displays the hand fan artist who disdains
to follow the outre absurdities into which so many painters
of the day are prone to run, with the idea of producing
novel'and striking effects, but is content to study and imi-
tate the models which the great fathers of the art have
left us.

The Duke of York transactamilitary business with the
King yesterday.
Mr. Secretary Canning was expected to arrive in town
last night.
Yesterday the Right lion. W. Huskisson entertained the
Cabinet Ministers at dinner, at his house in Soulinet-
place. •