Society Of Water-Colour P...
The Times, 1824-04-26T00:00:00

The thirteenth anneal exhibition of the Societv of Painters in Wa- ter-colours opens this day to the public. WVe attended the private view on Saturday last? and were greatly gratified with the display of talent which it exhibits, and which seems to be every year more striking than before. In addition to our old established favourites, we find many wvhose names are not so familiar to our ear rapidly journeying on the road to fame. Prout has largely contributed to the exhibition, and has added to his reputation by works which con- siderably surpass all his former productions. " The South Porch of Rouen Cathedral," and the " Poreli of Ratisbon Cathedral," Nos. 278 and 279, are admirable specimens of picturesque archi- tectural representation. His two Sea Views, Nos. 98 and 105, are almost equally happy, thougli the colouring seems, in parts, to be a little oyercharged. We were much pleased with Mlr. Cop- ley Fielding's " Scene from l'Allegro," No. 100, which pos- sesses a considerable degree of poieic character, though it is perhaps inferior to manv of his smaller works, as far as rerards the faithful imitation of nature. " Aseene in the Highlands," No. 213, is one of his best; and his view of " Edinburgh, from Salis- bury Craigs," No. 101, is charminglv natutral and pleasing in its effect. Jr. Robson has a great number of very clever drawings. Those which more immnediatelv claimed our attention, not so much from th,eir size as from the merits of their execution, were No. 58, " Grange-chine, Isle of Wight," No. 77, " Durham," and No. 147, " The upper part of Loch Lomond," all possessing the pecu- liar beauties of this artist's style-harmony of composition, and breadth and stillness of effect. Were should 'wish to see a little more of this feeling infused into the works of Mr. BarretT, which, with all their powerof colour and grandeur of composition, are occasionall v deficient in repose. This will be evident in No. 56, " Evening," which is, howeever, distinguished at the same time by beauties of no ordinary class. The foreground, in our apinion, is the only objec- tionable part; the middlle ground and distance are rich anl harmonious, and the effect of the setting sun surprisingly luminous and powerful. No. 170, " Afternoon," is anotner clever specimen of iVIr. Barrett's talents; and No. 22, "A Harvest Storm," is admirable for the dismal sweeping effect of the blast. There is a large architectural drawing bv Air. F. Nash, " The inside of Westminster Abbey, with a Royal funeral proces. sion," No. 44, which seems to be almost the perfection of thts kind of representation. The fidelity of the architectural imitation, the management of the ctiaroscuro, and the solemn grnndeur of the whole, entitle this productioti to the higlhest praise. We must con- gratulate Mir. J. D. Harding on his progressive improvement. No. 40, " A view in Yorkshire," and No. 85, "M Aalham Cove, York- shlre," are rich in harmonious tone and vigorous execution. Air. Gastineau's " Stirling Castle," No. 187, more than maintains his forner reputation: the effect of the sloping rock, with its patches of earth and weeds, is extremely natural and pleasing. Miss Bvrne must not be forgotten among the list of the successful candidates for fame. Her " Grapes" and " Wild Flowers" are distinguishecl by uncommon truth of efFect, and evince a taste capable of feeling the varied delicacies of nature. The exhibition is altogether one of a very pleasing and varied character. The rooms were crowded with the most distinguished amateurs and patrons of art. Her Royal Highness the Princess Augusta, the Duke of Norfolk the Duchess of Montrose, thehlarquis and Alarchioness of Staford, the Barl and Countess Gower, Lord and L,ady Belgrave, Bishop of Salisbury, Sir John and LadY Swinhurne, Sir George Beaumnont, and Lady Gordon, the Danish, Prussian, and Hanove- rian Ambassadors, were among the numberof the visiters. SOCIETY OF WVATER-COLOUR PAIINTERS.