Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1859-05-13
,r.,c.. PAINTERS IN ROME

a,mnIete a subject there begun. In speaking
If the studio of C. G. Thompson, l made men,
t;on of a cabinet picture of St Peter led from
nrison by an angel. | dwelt on its minute
beauty Of touch and finish, its felicity of de-
sign and grace of execution, and expressed n
hone it might be enlarged to q more llie-llke
size. In one of my walks | entered Mr.. rs
studio and found nv wishes had been more
than realized, for n large and nearly completed
copy from the small original was occupying a
conspicuous place before me.
II is certainly a beautiful picture, full of &C.
MUS and spirit. 1t is very rarely you see a
nroduction so effective in all its parts. The
back ground equals, without rivalling or forcing
attention from the prominent and principal OBJ
iects in the fore ground. The depth Of sla-
dow in the one docs not prevent its distinctneSS
and accuracy Of outline from telling a striking
tale, while the brightness and vividness OF the
figures in the other lastingiy impress them
on the eye and the memory.
| have commended often the loneliness and
purity of Mr.. ThompSon's ideals. In this IN
stance, he has worked up to his usual cmlnencc,
for the right hand figure in the fore ground Is
literally an angel Of light. Atood OF radiance
is thrown over the face and form OF the gull
ding spirit, giving supernatural brightness to
its youthful beauty, and rejecting on the pure
majestic countenance and digmtied form OIL the
Apostle. They arc just without the portals OF
the prison, whose gloomy strength lrowns ne
hind them. On each side are the sleeping sol
diers of sthe Roman guard. They rest in
every variety Of attitude, yet all COM
bining ease and harmony. Their drow-
siness is evidently miraculous; for there
is a standing figure, leaning on a lance
over whom there is such an air OF deep repoSc
as il the .Arch-Angcls trump might sound Tor
him in vain. 1t was to this part Of the back
ground | particularly referred in praisins It's
beauty, and in many quarters | hear my own
encomiums confirmed. In the remote distance
is a view Of Jerusalem and the Mt. of Olives,
while, beyond, the first crimson glow OF day
break is combating with the pale light of the
morning star and the lUstre of the half-iil!cd
moon. | wish 1t could be purchased for a
Catholic Church. 1t would be particularly APP
propriate to one bearing the name Of the chiel
Of the Apostles.
Mr.. Thompson is at work on a head Of Ro.
gers, the sculptor. 1t is a fine subject, and
am certain he will do it justice. We hear Mr..
Thompson contcmplateS returning to America.
He will be a great acquisition to the resident
artists there. He has had eight years of close,
severe application, and his works show the
success of his studies. | hope to see many OF
his fine portraits adjoining the cabinets of our
countrymen.
must now re-coinmcncc the series Of artists
before omitted. | mention them in the order
Of INV visits, not rs defining their age or rela'
tive position.
Mr.. Freeman is a painter Of standing and
talent, chiefly q delincator of figures and cos
tunes, though the largest picture in his collcc-
ton is a Scripture historical piece. (often be-
fore traced BY ancient and modern artistS,)-
our Lord conversing at the well with the wc-
men of Samaria. 1t is an imitation Of the an
tioue and a successful one. The costume
figures are natural and effective. We saw the
little model sitting at his post-a handsome
Italian child. perhaps ten years old. Ii was
amusing to see how he watched IL while en-
aiming his likeness. and how eagerly his de-
lighted glance turned from his resemblance
to our faces to read our thoughts and
see if we recognized him in the pic
ture. There was no mistaking it; he was
too handsome, even 10 require the liberty
always allowed an artist Of idcalizing. The
pendant was n girl Of equal age, with bright,
laughing eyes and dark waving locks, fair Spe-
cimens of rustic beauty. have seen few per-
sons so happy in their profession as Mr. Free
man. To him. it seemed a pleasure, not an
occupation. There must be success where there
S so much devotion.
My next visit was to Mr.. V. VI. Williams.
one Young in years. not long in the practice of
art: but, to my astonishment. ~rivalling both in
the number and finish of his pictures, those
who were. lie is chiefly a painter Of figures,
supplying a landscape for the purpose of pro-
pcriv introducing rustic employmcnts and
a~musemcnts. In no other land can the rural
so closely unite the picturesque, and the ro-
mantle, and the ideal. The peasant is not
Hodge with sad colored homespun and "clout-
cd shorn," but something combining the melo-
dramatic and the Arcadian. The lose fitting
garment of every color Of the rainbow, the
high-crowncd hat ornamcnted with wild flow
erS, gracefully arranged; grapes or feathers, as
sorted with taste and care; the buskin laced to
the knee with bright r~ibbons-such are the
models that sit to the painters, whose truth
fitness you can rouchsafe at every step. The
women are equally varied, fanciiuland brilliant
in their arrangement of colors and drapery.
Their head gear is as multiplied as their class,
and is strictly indicative Of their earthquakes.
The practiced eve at once knows whence come
the wcarcrS Ofcvcry costume. tits this variety.
this beautiful combination of drapery and color,
that makes so many artists take to that partic-
ular style of paintings.
Mr.. Williams has travelled much in this
country of Italy, and his pictures arc numcr-
Gus, truthful and beautiful. almost rs deScrip-
tive of his travels rs u written account. You
see the country, its most remarkable views,
the dress, occupation and personal appearance of
its inhabitants, their products and their climate.
For the mountain is wildly marked with its
snow and clouds, and the campagna with its YER
dure and sunshine. There is 4 rain.storm so
well portrayed, YOU see the drops as they de-
sccnd. Nv favoritc among this collection, was
a Return from the Vintagc'-it includes so
many points Of attraction, beauty Of landscape
with animal and human life the donkcys
loaded with fruit. the lads and laSScs all enjoy
ing this scene of plenty.
| reluctantly left this interesting and we'll
filled studio, for hours could here be- agrccably
spent; but | hope to resume my visit and my
sketch on another day.
Mr.. Silton has q fine collection Of Swiss
scenes, looking very like what | imagine the
mountains of Switzerland to be; but, as |
know not the reality, they could not he so much
criticised or enjoyed as the views Of Italy which
| know so we'll. The magic of light and shade,
icc-clad mountains and romantic waterfalls, are
here in rich profusion, The sky and clouds
particularly pleased mc-for, brilliant as they
were, with gorgeous colors, | knew they were
true to nature, for I had seen the same at
home.
Nv last visit for the day was to Mr.. Monta.
liant, who will be n subject of interest to many
of your readers, being n native of Richmond,
where his parents for many years resided. lie
had some, indeed, many, pictures OF the quaint
old towns in the "IIills"-Gcnnct Land rarti-
c~ularly. These are so different from anything
ever imagined out of Italy, that they scarcely
can be realised as true. Then there were views
more familiar to us-such as the "Campasna'
and the dear old Tibcr, the last always known
BY its peculiarly yellow tint. Mr.. NJ. Isl young