The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1820-01-11 00:00:00

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PICTUrir ef the TrLF: of HeISrINGS.
A new historical Picture. on a very large scale
(31 feet 6ns. by 17 feet 6 in.), was yessertley. fur the
first time, exhibited to the public, at the Great
Room. Spring-g Arden.. It represents the mono-
Table Bottle of !lasting's, fought by wir.f.tAit the
Comaustftoo. its the tear 1066. and the artist is
Mr. F. W. ‘A'i Liu N. It is painted fir Sir GODFREY
WFBitaft, Dirt. the proprietor of Bette' Abbey.
built by the Conqueror on the spot where the battle
was fought, owl the artist its some prefatory obser-
vations to the description of his picture, speaks ill
terms of the warmest gratitude of the liberality of
his di.tiosguislsed patross. An historical picture is
as tire a prof luctiota i:i Art, as is the generous
patrols stel Mr. %V aKtM celebrates.
The toast promote's' part of the picture is filled
by an equestrian figure of William the Conqueror.
leading a charge, at the head of souse of his Norman
follower.. Tin. charge is supposed to have brought
him to the 'pot where Harold lies dead. William
Is represented its the act of checking hishorec. By
the expire:4i it of his countenance. and Use action
of his right hand, from which his sword has tins
consciously fallen, the artist denotes the sense-
*ion the Conqueror feels at suddenly boding the
consummation of his wishes burst upon him—
the crown of Englaii.l within Isis grasp, and Ha-
rold sleesoing its death at his fret. A corrful dis-
tinction i. 'tide between the armour of the Nor.
mans and Anglo-Saxons. N inist;to is liebited in
wbst us termed "A !luster& Hauberk," with
conical helmet. The shape of the hauberk, the
thighs, and boots, are taken from the impress tun of
William's great seal. The &Masi nierceisertes are
not represented clothed its the armour of the epi-
rase, hut in a dress soot dissimilar to that MUM by
the Romeo orinies. whets esservated by Iseury they
threw aside the heavy weapons of their ancestor..
The Saxons are dressed in ass armour of prepared
leather, of various colours, which produces a pie-
turrsiur, though nut a very martial 'firer.
The other parts of the picture are thus set forth
is the printed description of die Artist
Ow she left side of the Conqueror is Ode, Bishop of
Sarum, half brother to the Conqueror by the mother's
side, rooting to the Crowe; he watches with Intensity the
consuessoce of William, wishing to perhaps* (as it were
M a husk) is the pkatmre he billows him so tool at the idea
of hoeing obtained his object. This asniatioos warlike
Prelate, who aspired to succeed Pope hlregisay, it poetieslarle
meetissesed by Robert Wece,o is his Renee dr kw
"ua Om left side of the picture is the dead body of
Handelie supported by two Normans, who are supposed to
hove ,tested it op from among the dead at the approach of
William, fur the purpose of sheltie' it to their chief. The
warrior supporting Harold us the left aids, is maleavoirelor
to call the attention of the Conqueror to the fetal shaft which
pierced him thrimagh the eye into the brain, and soused his
41eash. The vow warrior hotelier at the feet of the Cos.
wooer is net menet ma formally priniestior the Crown, es
that world automat to a more Attica as occurriag at that
time; be is merely premsting to his Chief, as a glorious
trophy of the day, the Cy shoes helot, or King's helmet
, Herold wore, which being areordiag to the costume of the
period, sorroisaded by a asses Crams, way carry with it au
atlissies so obtasoiag the Crowe of Illoglamst
This figure, with his helmet them hock, showing
that the hair on the crown of Ids heads shore., so also to
the iostasees of Teatais, and two dead Horatio, limier
horse, are /Weeded to illustrate the singular carcase-
solace of the Mesa of sharing the head, foe. among the
Normans.
" By the left side of Bishop Ode mambo Tomah', celled
The Fair, from his osatiitrzion. To him was inhumed the
roosters ted hawser presented by Pope Alexander to the
Conqueror. He hails his Chief with • freline of triumph,
and his action is iateaged to imply his conviction that Ibis
boom was the immediate cause of their sweets.
" Behind him is a group of Norman soldiers of various
rank, who hare accidentally collected near Harold, area.
live ',the impression of William's brio; made music of the
importaut event.
" Ballot the Coss/weer is pert of the troop of Normsses
he was Indium on to she charge The principal figure in ibis
pomp, mounted on a dun horse, represeuts Count Enstace
whom Witham ordered to attack a body of Knauss, who
,swabs to resew the combet after she death of Harold, by
setior the Norma; while in permit, freeform ly checked by
the brutes rsaimisd--ibis Bowe is clad its a male of trellis
moor, sock as was used by the Sarocess shoot the period
of the Cimarest. It is iutrodoced here for the pike of variety,
and is appropriate on account of the armour is use in the
Wetter, parts of the Contineut,.al that lime, beiog in annoy
instances of Asiatic origin. _ _

"Oa so masiteinee idthe eZireabe ritgin of the picture is a
Norman trumpeter, seated ow a dark gimlet hone ; lie
blows the slugborne (or trumpet) of victory, sornmoning
the chiefs be gather round their leader, W witness the deci-
sive catastrophe.
“ Wounded, dead, and ilyiugSoxons and Normans occupy
the fure-gronnil of the picture. The Saxon in front is in.
tended to represent an arced chief, filled with mental and
buddy awguish, fur while he is nearly exhausted from his
%woods and from fatigue, he is mos.-Woe of the Clovis a
hi. late King being presented to the Culoielor.
" The figure behind the Chief is a Saxon of ordinary rank.
He r.sts upon his axe: in sullen silence. He represents one
who is ccccc ume but nut subdued ; one who my be sup-
posed to have fought handily and bravely Gun the dawn of
that day, which he feels is terinivated by the rola and dis-
comfiture of hiseuuntryineu."
There are a variety of other groupes in the pic-
ture engaged in different actions. expressive of the
various events of the battle. They are .well ar-
ranged. and produce appropriate effect.
This is the first historical pointing which Mr.
WILKIN has presented for public inspection. it is
therefore entitled to every critical indulgence.
There is, however, a strength of conception in the
work, a bold effort of the mind, which shows that
the Artist aspires to the highest department of his
Art, and a ilevelopeitient of executive capabilities
in many parts, which justivy his laudable ambition.
It would oe unjust towards an Artist who displays
so minty of the essentials of his profession to enter
into any detailed reanimation of his work. upon the
lissty glance of a first exhibition. We announce
it merely as an historical work to which the public
attention is solicited, and give the principal !parts
of the Artist's description of what it was his aim to
accomplish. We tepest that lie has evinced consh.
&Wile powers, hoth iii the composition and vie-
con ve parts of his work. 01 the colouring, with
which considerable pains stem to have been taken.
we do not wish on a first view to pronounce an opiw
nioo. as the impression it in some parts produced
upon us may out have been iiiiinfluruced by the
state of the atmosphere. and the snowy objects
which it has every where diffused around iis.
We shall make this picture the subject of further
observations.