Society Of British Artist...
The Times, 1824-04-19T00:00:00

*Y ,private view of the first annualexhibition of this Society was af ,4brded on Saturday to the amateurs and patronsof art, at the rooms in Suffolk-_street, Pall-mall East This exhibition, wcich vi]l bh opened to the public this day, consists of a numerous collectiop oi the productions of art in all its various departments. Paintings ir oii, oriniatuires, drawings, engravings, and sculptural w orks are ar. ranged within thesespacious and elegant rooms with great propriet3 and elect, We were pleased tosee a very considerable number oi historical compositions among the paintings in oil. The mo.t dis- tinguished in this class are those of ilr. fIlaydon and Mr. Martin. The subject of Mr.Hsydon's picturc,vhich is novel and fanciful, re. presents Silenus, in a state of intoxication, affecting morality, and reproving Bacchus and Aria-lne on the irregularity of their lives. The painter has not neglected the opportunity which this idea af- fordslvor the display of imaginative and humorous expression. The head of old Silenus is the very beau ideal of inebriety and an:mal en- Joyment. With a band unsteedy from the toq frequent potations to w.hich his ruddy countenance bears u-ideniable testimony, while he is ludicrously intent on the moral welfare of his merry auditors, he Scatters the rich iuice of the grape from his golden goblet. A young faun has climbed into the tree above his head to pelt him with figs, while a laughing nymph behind is trying to snatch away the crown of 5vy fromn his brow. Ariadne is on her knees before him, archlv snsiling and whimsically suing for parr'on; and the remaining figuies of the group all partake more or less of the enjorrernenit and humour of the scene. The colouring of this picture is uncommonly richl and powerful; but in other respects we canrot help observing, thattthe execution seems somewhat neglected. Ths may very naturally arise from the painter of such colossal works as the " Entry into Jerusalem," and the " Raising of the IWildow's Son," not being yet sufficiently acciustomed to minuteness of execution to give to a picture of such moderate dimensions as the present the requisite degree of finish. But be this as it may, there are faults in every work of art; but in this, the excellencics so far predominate, that it cannot but add considerably to the reputation its author has already sojustlvacquired. tr. Haydon has also same portraits in thisexhibitios,; thatmarked 204 isdistinguished byadtepth of colourand breadth of effect vhich remind us forcibly of some of Ti- fianIs most owerful w orks. The treuiendous ruin of the" Sevenths PlagueIn Egypt" has furnished the subject for Mr. Mlartin's pic- iure. It is perhaps his finest production. The want of human ex. pres3ion, which we have urged as an objection against some of his former works, is here by no means so~ apparent. ln this picture the figures can be regarded only as masses: there are none whose pro. mimcnce and peculiarity of situntion, like the principal figures in - Behshazrar's Feast," require a more distinct and decided expres- srion th-n mere attitude can afford. llVith all the sim ilarity of effect which is at first sight app rent in thediff'erent productions of l)Jr. .Mar. tin's pencil, we knowr of ono p finter who possesces so great a va'ietv in his details. Ilere we h-ive the samne j rrring of elements; the samne interminable ranges of buildingYs* the same rushing of multitudes that we find in his " Fdll of Babylon," and his " Bel. shazzar's Feast :' yet the clouds are Cost into new and not less terrific aspects in all; the figures are thrown into different groups; and w hat an infinite variety of harmonious cornbi- nation in the composition of the temples, pyramids, and towers! No). 254. " The first sight of Woman," by C. Landsecr, contains rnuch that is worthy of commnendation. The comnosition of the picture is elegant and pleasing, and its execution is altogether ex- t remely creditable to so young an artist. In the department of fami- liar life, there is a clever picture by Richter," t'.e IVidow," No. 814; somewhat defective in execution, but admirably complete to its illustration of the subject. It represents a young and handsome wi. dow, lately disconsolate, throwing of F the trappings ot mnelanchol v and mourning for her deceased husband, to substitute in their stead a gayer and more fashionable attire, evidently intended to comrplete th!e conquest of the favounte Captain, whose scarlet unifbrmu, in mi- mature, peeps through the contents of her reticule. The idea is ad. mirably carriedl throughout every part of the picture. Hcee is a bdUel.dou:c,-..here hangs the portrait of the old gentlemnan in his bob.wig, seemnarg to look angrily, from thc canvasos, upon the inconstancy of his uses better half; and there, too, by the side of a Satyr, is suspended a SCupid, who, having broken one boaw, is intent on cutting out another. Nothing is forgotten that can add interest to the story and keepalive thesub- ject, and had the colouring of this pieture been less coarse and inhar- .monious, we coukld not but have been Perfectly satis'aed wvish it. MIr. Hecaphy's " Game of Pist," No. 187, p)ossesses a consider. able share of amusing incident. " I will fight," No. 6S, by P. S.impson, is admirable for its truth and attention to nature. The resolution of the little urchin so " fight out Iris quarrel" is as justly expres.sedl as the whole picture is indicative of power and mastery ofecxecution. The original sketch of the " Sortie of Gibraltar,"' No. 261, by J. Trumbull, is spirited, vigorous, and careful. '-Cross.exaruining the witness," No. 197, by E. Vt. Ripp:ngille, seems to posisests some humour of expression and inciducnr, though, from its want of concentration of effect, it is difficult to find it out. The eye is distractedt over every part of a crowded picture, instead of being dlirected, as it should be, to the mnost jilter. esting points. Among the portraits there are some verv strong likenesses, but tew wvhich deserve much commeorlation as pictures. The best are, No. 26, " Portrait of MNr. fluster," E. Rarding; and a miniature " Portrait of a Lady," No. 457, by S. J. Rocha,d. In the landlscape department, the contributors to this gallery have been more successf'ul, as our readlers will naturally anticipate, when we mention that H-oflantt, Lir ton, Stark, Burust. Nasmyth, and Glover. are amnong the number. SIlr. oflfand's picture of i' Ulswater," No. 60, is a delightful represestation of a most pioetic scene. ;This artist has also a little picture of " .lloon. light,"' No. 27, which comes very near the effict of uature. lIr. Lmoton's " Vale of I,onsdale" is an admnirable picture; its size and powerful execution entitle it to particular notice. The clouds strike us as being, to use a technical phrase, a little rocky;* but thec vigom rous painting of the foreground, the careful -management of the respective distances throughout the excesesive prospect, and th!e harmonious colouring of the whole, entitle the artist to a high degree of praise. Mlr. lxitton bas several othet excellent pic- tures. No. 11U0, " Cattle and Figures," by J. Burnet, surprises us by its deep quiet tone, and its rich sunny effect. It is a chef d'rre vre in its way; and it is paying the artist no ill compliment to 2say, that his work remind1s us of some of' Cuvp's mnost glowing sunshilnes. .Nasmvth's " View near 'Tunbridge," No. 19., is one of his ceares ' o2and snotdlicaepicnturecs ,.arnd t,ark's "Gipsies encamp. preseirtations of rustic scenerv. lVe miust not forgret MIiss Gould. smith, whose " Scene near Hiastings," No. 318, is highly creditable to her talents ; nor Mr. Deane, who evinces very great improvement injhis "Overshot .Mills at Eshmlg," No. 311. Amuong the ivorkXs of sculpture the best are, a "MA odel of a Statue of the late B. Mrest, Esq.," by C. Rossi, R. A-., and a group of the " Findiing of Mot;es," by MIr. Scoular. On the wvhole, we have received great gratification from this display of art; and 've sincerely hope that the members of this society may meet with that encouragement from the public which will cnable them to present us wvith a similar treat for years tO come. The privatc view was very num erously attended. We observedl among the comlpany the Bishop of Salisbury, S.r .11. W. Ridley,llr. iii. A. Taylor, Sir G. Beaumont, Lord Carys. fort, Sir Ronald Fergusn r iie olborne, &c. 7 SOCIETY OF BRITISH ARTISTS.