The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1818-05-04 00:00:00

BRITISH INSTITUTION.

•
We turn from this rapid sketch of tfte 'principal
works of the modern school, to the pictures by the
old masters in the present Exhibition of the British
Institution, the private view of which took place on
Saturday list. It is this coincidence in the °pro-
log of both places on the same day, which imposes
upon us the duty we invariably. and often exclusive-
ly perform, of announcing at the first moment the
exhibition of works of art, and intpressing on the
public the interest they ought to excite, and not
any desire to bring into &feet contrast or compare..
'tarn the works of the old and modern school, though
we are not of the number wholivould tremble fur
our own artisti at such a competition, if conducted
on fair suit liberal grounds. 'The Old works were
executed under all the excitement of thrtitificent
• jutronage, mid the artist received payment fur his
-work with the conscious independence that the pur-
chaser preferred the picture to the money. andielt
and appreciated its value. Whether these 'dean-
lager impel the efforts of modern artists and ctotin
their labours, it is for those who are more immedi-
ately acquaiiited with the sale of their works to pro.
goofier.
The object ;if "the Directors of the British In-
stitution in collecting for the present Exhibition
mine of the chef rtfearees of the Italian, Sposiish,
Flemish, Dutch. and French schools, is doubtless
to hnog before the public and the artist. iu a con-.
Isenient and -instructive form. some of those works
of standard merit in the general and recorditfopi-
Ilion of Europe, which are calculated, if well' via-
seined and studied, to -ripen and correct she taste
of the one, and enlarge the sphere of information
of the other. 'Pile present Exhibition, besides two
of the admirable Cartoons,. The Gate of the
Temple. and Christ giving the keys to Peter,
which occupy the extremities of the north and

south romp*, contains some splendid pictures by
RuasNs, TITIAN, the POUSsINN the
Coaatccts, PZVL POrkilt, SALVATOR _
MURILLO. Gum), Dotticitegiso, A. Oirins.
GIORGIONIC, TlNlBlLl:tilillinD Dow, PAUL
VIRONM, RESOUND?Mtailift, Coil', ROTH,
JAN STERN, Hoistlr, WOUVERMAN,
BEROHEV, GARAVOLO; tANDIVIELDI6 VAriDEP..
iISER, and other artists of distinguished merit.
The Proprietors of these pictures, at the. head
of whom is the Pasties RIGRIIT, and the moat
distinguished of the nobility, have done an es.
'emit', 'mice to the fine arts of the country,
by presenting so many excellent works for pub-
lic inspection. and the effect of such exhibitions
must be of incalculable advantage. The author of
the Catalogue Raisotsm4 may recommence his 'cri-
ticisms oi• the pictures di the Institution, or ra-
ther his vilification of the motives of the Pro-
prietors, who disinterestedly present them for ex-
hibition, and at the same time contribute their
purses, and the ehef d'auvres of their galleries.
for the 'promotion of 'modern art. If the antlior
of the Calalogrie•Refroorti Cdti venture upon soother
antorpteors proddetion, ode or two clerical errors to
the Catalogue, the re-exhibithin of one or two
pictures, and the (utmost necessary) disadvantage
to 'hi. It some are exposed frodi`the construction
of the Gallen., particularly in the south room, may
afford abundant food for a greedy and illiberal
appetite ; but the public at large can feel little iii.
west in such a controversy, and those who en-
courage it can have lint an imperfect notion of the
Idamier iu which the arts can be rendered either
Useful or•popular in this country.
The two Custom, by ItArmAcL, ill this Exhi-
bition, are in themselves studies, and will repay the
-attention of the student in the same proportion as
he males them the exclusive subject of his
h.latton. Christ's Charge to Peter (or, as it is call-
ed, The girieg the Keys) is a great production,
for biro.% feeling and diversified character. 7he
Lome Mall Heated, or,The Gate tf the respite is
truly grand composition, and full of admirable in.

structiou to the student in art, who does net con-
tent himself with • superficial glance.
We shall take the other works in detail—the
greater part of them ire excellent.
Several diPtinguisked personages Were at the pri.
'trate view on Saturday.