The National Register.
London, England, 1809-05-21 00:00:00

TiTE NATIONAL REGISTER.

XE A RES.

EXHIBITION OF Till ROYAL ACADEMY.

333

No. 123. The Cut Finger, b.l I). W u 1.1(1E. VI. 124. Good
Neu:6, bi L Blltll.—No. I-29. Rent-Day, by D.
To depict the close distinguishing traits of character in
low life, with humourous similitude, yet w idiotic descending
into caricature, is among the most plen.ine and the mos! ardu-
ous tasks of the peecil. The coarse 4 ome,ly of life admits of no
ele,ation, :IA is too mean for the ludicrous attractions of bur-
lesqoe. let are there strik lug incidents, interesting passages,
aed scenes, in which the play of the human passions are unnf-
f.ctedly couspicuous, even among the most boorish and the most
initerate, and which must possess attractions the most forcible
f.:r him o ho is accustomcd to starer himself to be captivated by
oa(urc, in whatever earls he moy chance to find her ; we cannot
he surprised, therefore, at perceiving Genius himself sometimes
in the pursuit of such objects. The Flemish school enrly distin-
gu'shcd itselt• by such studies, and all the grossest features of
ustic hilarity, rude moose rs, and humble dissipation, were de-
picte 1 with the strongest touches of Nature. It must, however.
ackstowledged that the best productions of this description,
which Cie Flemish Masters have left us, frequently disgust her
their extreme vulgarity, or tire us st ith their sameness. It was
• in England that the comedy of Painting took a higher aim,
ex-
tended its .;cene, :Ind diversified its characters. The pencil of
Hog:trill emulated the pen of the most distinguished comic wri-
ters : the follies of the draw log-room, or the. frolics of the
kitchen, were alike the subjects of his characterizing powers,
but lii' satirical vein found such ample gratification in the hese
and voluptuous idleness of polished life, that some scenes in
inis Rake Progress maybe pronounced to be his chef (tenures.
A wide and strongly marked diversity of living traits render his
perrormances ever new : we cannot look at them without dis-
covering some natural discrimination which we never before
perceived. Since the time of tloorth there have been many
pretenders to the comic department of the art. But, by neglect-
ing the study of nature they have given us more whim than hu-
mour, more eccentricity than taste, inure extravagant earicalnr3
than character. It was, therefore, with sincere pleasure that
we hailed the first production of Wilkie : and rejoiced ns thou;
a Shakspeare ors Jonson again exhibited the &satires of the
passions, by means of the powers of another art. The heves
which we last year fostered, ate this year realized. In all (
inferior requisites of the Painter's art we find Mr. Wilkie hos
acquired that skill which, with its corresponding confidtooe,•
!dices the highest freedom of execution within hi; reach, rind
imparts vigour to the delineation of his masterly coneeptioes.
It is toe want of this confidence, it is his unconfirmed practice
in the minutia, of the art, that threw; Mn. rsIRIVS pirottre of
G .ud News so far behind those which he • .ems (1.11 run; of rival-
ling. In conception he is probably not lees animated than the
North Briton, but he has not acquired the faculty of e mbody-
I lug those conceptions %s kit equal facility.
To hezin With Thi, Cut Pinger, by WiLlElle, we cannot fail
to remark that close correctness with which strong discriminnt-
la- genius is always accompanied. It is this which renders at
sob;cct, that in itser is rf so trivial a nalstre„ exenHolv j 7;.
terestiog. Infantile emotions are not easily ex prelsed .0 as to
be raised into the real iiidicew. We al nos s•smile, best seldom
laugh at the fears or follies of childhood. :MR. WILKIE how-
ever, has found the means to make its laugh, and laugh out-
right at the simple mai natural terror of. a child who nas cut
his finger. This terror, expressed by It conntenarce contorted
with violent sobs, streaming with tears, and crimsnned with
chocking emotions, is so extravagantly hevond the oceasior, tool
so well contrasted by the quiet het benevolent counte,:ance.: of
the mother and grandmother, that we are provoked to risibi-
lity before we are aware, and ar.! delighted iv ith a homonroes
absurdity so accurately depicted, before we have !line to check
the sentiment of ridicule. Nature, all potverl•ul eatery,
when pres. nted to our contemplation by the sac iII r,r (:volos
ever fascinates the attention : she most he ren,lecel c ti:spicutios
only ;—we never want what the mere Art:st pretendi to sliew
II os,--rm.sro'fis!ou! nature. Simplicity is the Rosil „f every a.l
I and from the most sobli me eights of :..netry, t„ the. •lie hies t
Isketches of the painter of hionthle life, we -11,t;i ever rind
I greatest excellence w here We the Ir 1.1 ;A-frees:ion.—
All the suborainate parts of this picture .err hi t.lll v
yet they are not thereby rendered too prov.T;loo!. T;ie h_ht
sli,tdow are so w:11 motmeeil that aa toneti:t•tc!).9l
ktel•vades the whole scene. Ihe brighteess from window

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