The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-09-24 00:00:00

EXHIBITION OF WORKS BY MODERN ARTISTS,

POSTOFFICE-PLACE ROOMS

As the exhibition of paintings by modern artists must ne-
cessarily attract just at present the attention of the connois-
seur, the amateur, the artist, and all who have any preten-
sion to taste, we shall occasionally devote a space in the
columns of the STANDARD to draw public remark to
such works as we consider worthy. We have for many years
taken much interest in fine art, and we cannot but admit that
there is a taste springing up in Liverpool, which the painter,
and the artist of every denomination, ought to welcome with
a joyous feeling. Let it be remembered how many persons
are now visiting the admirable works of Mr. Martin, at the
Union-rooms ' • let it be borne in mind what numbers in-
spected the Three Cancel, " Adam and Eve," and Danby's
glorious painting of the Opening of the Sixth Seal. If our
townsmen were not fond of art, they would not give en-
couragement to the dealers in pictures who frequently favour
us with their presence, and who generally effect good sales,
and leave excellent specimens of the various masters behind
them. And then again, look at the establishment of a
permanent Gallery of Art, does not that also show a taste for
painting and sculpture? We say, when these matters and
many others which exist are looked at, they show that a deci-
ded encouragement is given to the fine arts in this town. A
word respecting the Permanent Gallery of Arts. The public
is greatly indebted to the Committee of the Royal Institution
for this establishment, and we believe that we shall not be
very far wrong in ascribing to Mr. Winstanley credit for
great perseverance and exertion in bringing this matter to
maturity. Mr. Winstanley is totally free from the petty
jealousy and self-conceit that we regret to say is so predomi-
nant in the artist. Mr. Winstanley is a connoisseur, and
looks upon fine arts with a liberal and a generous mind, and
appears glad to impart that knowledge which he undoubtedly
possesses—to all those who need it, and while he treads the
path in search of knowledge, and gathers flowers on the way,
he does not scruple to scatter around him the results of his
experience. We hope that those who can will come forward
and assist the Permanent Gallery. Let our merchant princes
—for princes they are in acts of benevolence—show them-
selves regal in support of the fine arts.
But to return to the exhibition. We find this year that
there are a great many pictures which possess talent : a few
display genius, and an undoubted shadowing forth of future
greatness. Of the bad ones we shall have little to say, no-
ticing only such as adorn, instead of disgracing, the walls.
To begin at the beginning, the first picture we observe is the
first in the catalogue, representing
" A Scene before the Battle of the Lapithse and Centaurs."
R. JEFFRAY, London.—The scene is laid in some wild place
where the Lapithm are celebrating the marriage of Pirithous
and Hippodainia. The bride (we suppose) is seen struggling
in the arms of the drunken centaur, while Pirithous (The-
seus or Nestor) stands in a commanding and threatening
attitude, to rescue Hippodamia from the rude hands into
which she has fallen. The attitude of the man is extremely
good, as is the tigure of the centaur; but the female is clum-
sily drawn. The idea is excellent : if this is by a young
artist, let him study Virgil and Ovid still. It is hardly fair
to criticise the colouring, from the distance the picture is
from the ground ; but we object to the fleshings—they want
life and warmth.
2. " Tartare to patulie recubans sub tegmine fagi."
ANSDELL, Liverpool.—Under this attempt at a classical
title. our attention is drawn to a Landseerish-looking dog
painting, beneath " a wide-spreading beech." Tartar is
cleverly drawn, has life and vigour in him, and does the
painter credit.
6. " The First Sketch." R. FARRIER, Chelsea.—Some-
thing in Wilkie's style : the colouring not equal to the idea
in merit. The subject, a lad sketching on a wall Buonaparte
seated on a chair. Around the young artist are anxious and
delighted groups crowding to gaze upon the first effort of
genius.

2." Silvia comparing Herself to the Flowers." J. Sm-
-Raw in colour, and out of drawing.
" View of Stirling from the west Gate of the Castle."
W. COLLINGWOOD, Liverpool.—A clever painting. The
town in the foreground, and the broad champaign country at
the back, is drawn very spiritedly.
16. " Portrait of Mr. Ward." J. C. WILSON, Liverpool.
—Whoever has seen Mr. Ward will recognise this picture.
It is a capital likeness, and well painted.
19. "The Last Days of a Condemned." J. Vox HoLsT,
London.—This work represents a haggard.looking malefactor
on his way to execution. Around him are " staring eyes"
and faces exhibiting different emotions of sorrow, fear, and
horror. The principal figure is painted in a free, bold, style,
and may be termed a clever effort of art.

20. " The promenade of the Schravone, Venice, Evening."
INSKIPP, London.—A belle donna taking her evening
promenade, followed at a respectful distanceby two Cavalieri,
who appear watching her progress. The dress and figure of
the lady are charmingly painted, and in this artist's best
manner.

22. " Bennington Falls." Miss NASMYTH, Manchester.
A charming landscape, with wood, water, rock, and road;

the lights cleverly distributed.
35. " Subject from Midsummer Night's Dream." J. G.
MIDDLETON, London. The face of " Amorous Phillida" is
very fair. that of Corin is too womanish. A great deal of bad
drawing evident. Who ever saw, except in a vulgar market
wench, such an arm as that of Phillidas ?
36. " Venice." R. M'lNN's, London. An extremely
clever picture, representing carnival time at Venice. Here a
mother with her babe—a sweet figure—there a pair of lovers ;
there a gondolier ;an old man—a clever study—a servant
girl : and other objects. The table is loaded with wine flasks
and fruit. The arrangement of the figures, the drapery, and

costume are all excellent—the faces of the females most
lovely. This picture has a sunnyness about it which renders
it most pleasing, while the composition is highly interesting
and clever.
42. " Sunset on the River Stour." T. S. COOPER, Lon-
don. One of Cooper's sweet landscapes, with an exquisitely
drawn and painted group of cattle. The atmosphere clear—
the river smiling and placid. This gem we perceive is sold.
We envy the purchaser
50. " Convent of Cosimato Roma." HAVELL, London.
Havell's works may be be known everywhere and any-
where. There is a warmth and richness in his lights, and a
depth in his shadows, that give great effect to his charming
pictures. There is another of his pictures, No. 85, a brilliant
specimen of colouring. The sky is most glowing and rich,
and the light beautifully distributed.
52. " Britain's Glory." W. KIDD, London.—Two pen-
sioners celebrating perhapsthe anniversary of a naval victory.

A good picture, displaying much humour.
57. "The Unrelenting Lord." J. R. IT EltilEßT, Lon-
don.—The subject is a warrior in a stern attitude waving
aloft his cap, while a girl droops at his feet apparently struck
with horror. Why his lordship should be unrelenting;"
the deponent sayeth not. It is cleverly painted, has great
expression, and the drapery is well thrown.
65. Warriors Aroused by the Sound of the Trumpet." W.
ETTY. R.A., London. This is Mr. Etty's only picture in
the gallery. The artist has lavished great skill on the prin-
cipal female figure ; the fleshing is most delicate. The war-
rior is muscular and firm. There is much vigour in drawing,
and brilliancy in the tone of colouring in this picture.

71. " Mytiheer Vandunck." CuAiiLEs STEEDMAN, Lon-
don. Painted with much hutnour : it has a good deal of the
Dutch masters about it. Mynheer is seen in his glory en-
joying his draught, " as deep as the Zuyder Zee."
75. " The Stolen Interview of Charles 1., when Prince of
Wales, with the Infanta of Spain." F. STONE, London.—
A well painted historical picture, for explanation of which
see catalogue. The costume appears to have been attended
to with great care. The figure of Charles is very capitally
drawn. The group of affrighted females are gracefully placed,
while the dark dress of the old marquis on his knees con-
trasts well with the light dresses in his vicinity.
83. " Portrait of James Aspinall." J. H. ILLIDGE, Li-
verpool.—A most excellent likeness—there is "no mis-
take" about this picture. It is admirably painted.
81. "A. Loek on the Thames near Windsor." VICKEIL s,
London. A pleasant landscape well drawn, but raw in
colour—age will greatly improve this artist's pictures.
$6. " Aston, Warwickshire." 'l'. H. llENsitAw, Lon-
don.—Mr. Henshaw is a clever artist. His works have all
great merit. There is a warmth in his landscapes that render
them pleasant things to look at.
88. Gleaning in Kent." WITPIERINGTON, ILA., Lon-
don. —A broadly painted, bright picture, with clear atmos-
phere.
90. " Fisherman's Family looking out after a Storm." H.
P. PARKER, Sheffield. A good picture possessing much in-
terest. The fishermen's families are anxiously gazing sea-
ward, sweeping the horizon with their straining eyes, and
watching the fragments of wreck hurried by the pier whereon
they stand, with fearful gaze. The group is well arranged,
the sea and distance well painted.
91. " Portrait of William Fawcett". G. PATTEN, A.RA.,
London.—An admirable likeness. This painting has been
engraved, and privately circulated. This excellent work of
art is intended to adorn the walls of the Mechanics' Institu-

tion.
93, " The Crater of Vesuvius at the Summit". H AVELL.
—An interesting subject, cleverly painted.
94, " The Boy and many Friends''. G. WEBSTER, A.R.A.,
Kensington.—One of the most humourous pictures in the
room, and well painted. It represents a lad at school, hav-
ing received a basket from home, has emptied it of its con-
tents, while his companions cluster round him, apparently
proffering their friendship in " this time of prosperity". He
is loaded with cakes, pots of preserves, and oranges, while
his schoolfellows are still diving into the basket, one of whom
fishes up a bottle, and the other a book. " A big boy" is
bullying another, who appears too pressing in his attentions ;
another looks on with eager and longing eyes ; a noisy crowd
are bursting into the room, while the poor usher leans against
his desk as if wishful to forget that he has no home—no
friends to bear him in their most sweet memories. This is a
most capital picture, drawn with great ability and truth, and
cleverly painted.
96, " Port Stewart": W, G. HERDMAN, Liverpool.—
Mr. Herdman has great talent a many of his works adorn the
exhibition this year. The present, without being one of his
best, is clever, and has good effects.
98. " Belem Castle, with Lisbon in the distance". C. H.
Seaforth, Merton.—A Vanderveldisk-looking view of this
interesting seaport and fortress. Atmosphere pure and
sunny. The shipping well painted.
99. " River, by Moonlight". J. B. CRoME, Great Yar-
mouth.—Mr. Crome's style is original and peculiar—deep
shadows and mellow lights give a pleasing but sombre effect
to his pictures. There is much talent shown in this and the
other works by the artist.
We must must now break off, and continue our notice in
our next publication.

Walnuts are very plentiful this season : they are selling in
and near Hereford, at from id. to 6d. per 100.
SUDDEN DEATH.—On Wednesday night, about ten
o'clock, a respectably dressed elderly gentleman, about 60
years of age, called at the private box entrance of Drury-lane
Theatre, and begged to be allowed to sit down for a fewmi-
nutes, as he felt very ill. He had scarcely entered the door
and taken a seat, before be fell back and expired.
A WOMAN KILLED By A, BULL.—On Wednesday, at
noon, Mrs. Hunter, in Laigh Phornyfiat, near Whitletts, a
widow of advanced age, having gone out to assist the herd-
boy in driving the cattle from a field of wheat into which
they had broken, was attacked by the bull, and so dreadfully
gored and bruised that she died in an hour and a half after-
wards.—Caledonian Mercury.

HORRIBLE PVIVILDER.—On Tuesday night, at about ten
minutes past ten o'clock, a horrible murder was committed
at the King's Head public house, Eastcheap, London, on the
person of Mr. Bourden, the landlord of the above house,
as well as an attempt made on the lives of two other persons,
the sister of Mr. Bourden and his wife. The particulars of
the case are as follow :—At about three o'clock on Tuesday
morning, a person of the name of Blakeley accosted Serjeant
Bradley, 503 of the city police,. and inquired of him how he
could -obtain possession of his wife, whom he stated was
staying at the above house, but, after being advised to call in
the afternoon, he went away. At about ten o'clock the same
night, he (Blakesley) went to the King's Head, with every
appearance of extreme agitation, and going behind the bar,
where the deceased was sitting on a chair, dosing, and his
(Blakesley's) wife attending to the customers, he drew from
his pocket a butcher's knife, and made a desperate thrust at
his wife, wounding her in a dreadful manner. Her screams
awoke Mr. Bourden, who, while in the act of rising from
his seat, was stabbed in the stomach by Blakesley, the knife
penetrating to the handle. He fell at the bar door, and
Blakesley, after making an attempt to strike Mrs. Bourden,
escaped. Mr. Smith, of
.Gracechurch-street, was sent for,
and lost no time in attending, but ere he arrived, Mr. Bour-
den had expired. His attention was then directed to the un-
fortunate woman, who, it is stated, is mortally wounded.
Blakesley is stated to be rather a fine looking mars, about
five feet ten inches in height, round face, dark hair, large
whiskers, and about thirty-five years of age. At the time
of committing the murder he wore a brown frock coat, dark
spotted waistcoat, and dark trousers.--M'orning Herald.