The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-04-01 00:00:00

• .
Some of the mdetprOininent heids and figures. In the
middle of the floor is Lord Grey, with his right twin
tended, " checking,"_as the eatalogne informs us, "the
ty ofthe interpreter, the Marchese Spinelli, desir-
opuroelitloiprooeed with the examination of the witness." It
stems rather hasty to charge so pleasant an interpreter
with prolixity: the explanations of the Marchese were
Invaluable as a relief to the long and fatiguing examine-
tioos. Lord Grey's attitadeis imposing and natoral. It
will probably be thought that the portrait has a noire
)I"Oilthful air than the original ; hut the objection is less
feasiN'e, for his Lordship, at a distance, and
*ion in the act of speaking, does.appear much younger
than he is. On the floor. at seine distanze' behind Lord
.orer, is Lord Holland, also on his legs. This is an ad-
tdrible portrait—Admirable not snore for the accurate
delineation of Me/features than for the characteristic air
the whole figure. His Londstilp'seasy, sturdy English
,slitiportment is given tone life. Amongst the Lords on
Hip Opposition bench, the most striking are these of
:Marques* of Lanidown, the 'Duke of Buckingham,
• tilt IttWal Highness the Doke of Gloacester.,
the Wirt side of the House the heads of his Royal High,
ness_the Duke of York, Lord Sidmouth, Lord RxmontlNl
and the Duke of Wellington, prieularls attracted our 1
attention. The last is a likeness; but too smooth, too
delicate, too "like a waiting gentlewoman." The cha-'
reefer is sot sustained. The attempt at a portrait of
Lord Livelrpool appears to as to be a decided failure.
The Head of the Duke of Devonshire is excellent. The
grand and distinguishing merit of the numerous portraits
in this picture, and a merit too of the highest order, 'is,
that they are less marked as likenesses by • merely con
rect copy of the outline, than by their spirited representa-
tion of Individual peculiarities. As an instance, we may
mention a portrait of Lord Rivers, of whom merely a
slight side view Is presentee ; yet no one tb whom his
Lordship's figure was familiar could hesitate for a mo.
ment. This is very observable too in some of the bells
in the extreme back ground, where the Members of. the
House of Commons are placed who attended the trial, and
especially in the portrait of Sir Burdett. In the seat
near the entrance, outside the bar, the painter has intro-
duced de-elate Marquess of Londonderry,' Sir C. Long,
and Mr. Tierney. The first not good, sue second beauti-
ful the third, spirited.
The Artist has made great use of the drapery, such as
it is, of the House of Lords, in harmonizing and arrang-
ing- his colouring.. The chandeliers are excellently
painted, and their perspective skilfully preserved, whilst
their coleus gives a warmth to the upper part of the plc,.
ture, which assists in destroying the monotony of the
colouring of the cieling. The colouring of the reel dra-
pry, and tasting enme of its pares into shadow, is very
well managed ; and the hest use is made of the tone of
the greyish green of the old tapestry, as a contrast aud
relief to the red.
Below the group. of Mr. Tierney apd Lord Loudest-
derry, within the Usher of the Black Rod's box, mid
leaning on the bar, is a portrait of the Honourable Georg*.
Agar Ellis, a distinguished patron of the Fine Arteb-ior
whom we understand this picture has been paiuseila
On the whole, this picture is seinestionably a per-
formance of extraordinary merit. The taste•aid abihitr
with which the Artist het met theliffmultlea be bad to
surmount; the slogular fidelity with winds he has pre-
served likeoesses, i.q positions wbe.:e it scented impossi-
ble to present even a distinct view of the head or figure ;
;the true feelloq of pianist effect which he has sbowo in
theehoiCe of his point of view, and in the arrangement of
the subject—forbid us to dwell upon his failure in parti-
cular parts, and Qin-occasional want. of depth, mellow-
ness, or finish in the colouring. He may congratulate
himself on having finished i truly great work, inferior
indeed to the efforts of the great Masters of original his-
torical design, but honourable in a high degree to his
skill and perseverance.