The Sun. — 1847-08-31 (London, England)

FINE ARTS. ETTY'S JOAN OF AIX PICTURES. Since the removal of these magnificent pictures from the Royal Academy to the rooms of Mr. Coils, in New Bond-street, Etty has made several alterations, which have added greatly to the effect of this superb work of art. In the first compartment (the finding the sword) there has been an improvement in the colour and distribution of light in the architectural part of the cathedral : the greatest alteration, however, has been made in the second compartment (Joan at the gates of Orleans). The general tone of this compartment of the picture has been greatly improved, and more care and attention has been given to those parts of the picture which were before unfinished. The third compartment (the martyrdom of Joan of Arc) has been greatly improved by the introduction of a clump of green trees behind the head of the monk, which sends off the buildings in the distance, and accurately marks the time of year (spring) in which the fearful tragedy was enacted. These pictures are seen to much greater advantage alone than they were in the Royal Academy ; the gaudy colours of the pictures by which they were surrounded and the dazzling reflection from the hundreds of gilt frames in the collection fatigued and spoiled the eye, and by distracting the attention, unfitted the mind for the proper contemplation of Etty'a grand pictorial epic. ' Since their removal they have been the subject of the intense admiration and the deep study of almost all the artists and ailettanti of the metropolis. The second compartment is the one we believe the most generally admired, and as a representation of energy and of rower in action, it is very fine; but we prefer the first compartment—the finding the sword. There is an expression of conscious power—of power founded on undoubting faith--in the figure of Joan, that nothing can surpass. That uplifted hand at once tells the whole story ; and then, what can be finer than the expression of high and trusting devotion, of full and firm belief in her own inspiration in  nate man made a full confession of his crime a few  (lays previous to his execution, and manifested, towards the close of his mortal career, some degree of penitence for his offence, although he appeared gloomy and sullen from the period of his conviction up to the past week. He detailed the particulars of the murder, and stated that after its committal he robbed his victim of about fourteen shillings in silver, after which he put on the clothes of the deceased, and fled to Liverpool, where he could not get employment, and was, in consequence, obliged to part with the clothes of the deceased to enable him to subsist. lie described himself, after his escape, as much oppressed in mind, restless, and uneasy, and drawn by some irresistable impulse back to Ireland, where he ram• bled about the county Dublin in search of employment, but was finally arrested in Baliymore-Eustace. He partook of dinner on Wednesday, as usual, and of a hearty breakfast on the morning of his execution. At the place of execution, he implored the people to pray for him—that he was guilty of the crime for which he was about to suffer; but that he hoped for pardon through the merits of his Redeemer. After a tew seconds the trap fell, and he was launched into eternity.—Carlow Sentinel.