The Sun.
London, England, 1854-06-01 00:00:00

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RER MAJESTY'S WATER-COLOUR DRAWINGS.

Her Majesty, with her usual urbanity, has allowed
her unrivalled collection of water-colour drawings to be
engraved. The greater proportion of these are now in
hands of the engraver ; the remainder are on view at
the premises of the Messrs. Colnaghi.
A cursory view of these admirable specimens of the arb
of water-colouring will convince the spectator into what
able hands—for none of the pictures are original—the
task of copying has been entrusted. The collection is
very varied, both as to subject, as to the original artist,
and to the artist who bas undertaken the copy ; and so
faithfully has the last been executed, that any copy,
with the original of which we are acquainted, may be
recognized in the exquisite fidelity with which the copy
follows in its minutest details. s
ss s s s

Perhaps the finest picture exhibited is the reception of
Cardinal Wolsey in the abbey of Leicester. This work
is in an unfinished state, but quite enough has been done
to show what it will be when finished. The cardinal—a
life likeness—is being lifted from his mule, and received
by the abbot with all his attendant functionaries. Nothing
can exceed the benevolence beaming in the face of the ab-
bot, as he stretches forth his hands to receive the fallen
statesman. The picture is filled up in the foreground with
the brethren, noble-looking men, and behind the group of
ecclesiastics by the men-at-arms, who accompanied and
guarded the cardinal. This fine work is due to Mr. Cope,
Proceeding round the room, we find a most spirited
representation of the Battle of Meanee by Armitage.
The combatants are mingled together, and admirably
grouped. A homestead by Paul Potter, with stable and
cattle, is one of the best efforts of the Master. " Abun-
dance," by Van Gycker, presents an exceedingly beau-
tiful girl, bending over two sleeping infants, who in
return are reposing on a basket, teeming with grapes
and flowers. It is a masterpiece of soft and luscious
painting. An Ariel couched on the leaf of a floweris as
pretty a fancy as can be conceived—only we think we
have seen some of the same kind before. An interesting
scene opens to us all the characters of Midas—the
snappish old justice, and Apollo as the shepherd,
supposed to be singing, " Pray, Goody, please to
moderate the rancour of your tongue." The picture
is finished with the characteristic minuteness of de•
tad which marks the style of Mr. Maclise. The next
picture we have to notice is one of a very striking na-
ture. It represents "The Wise Men journeying." The
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both striking and associative, "The Wolf and the
Lamb," the bullying boy and the timid boy by Mul-
ready, is too well known to need description. Her
Majesty is in possession of the original. The next. and
last—and it is one full of sad associations—is the "Empty
Chair." The scene is in a room well known to all who
have seen Allen's picture of Sir Walter Scott's study.
Miss Scott is represented as kneeling in the attitude of
prayer, her hands in an imploring attitude on the arm of
the empty chair.