The Daily Times. — 1860-04-03 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

LIVERPOOL SOCIETY OF FINE ARTS.  An exhibition of works of art and —.photographs, harrowed from various parties in the neighbourhood, has been opened in Bold-street, by the Liverpool Society 'of the Fine-Arts, at a season when exhibitions are-rife in London,•but have been hitherto in Liverpool confined to the collections of itinerant picture-dealers. There are more than three hundred pictures, and, we are told, four hundred photographs, but on the:latter:point we cannot speak, as they are not all hung, and-no catalogue of them has been published. The pictures by the old masters, whether of Italy, Germany; or Spain, are not :strong, though there are a few masterly examples; but 'there are better-works by the same painters to be found in 'this town, and we trust an effort will be made on a future occasion to obtain, them.. Even of the living painters, with a few expections which we shall enumerate, there are much finer examples to be obtained in LiverPool.and the neighhourhood ; nevertheless, it is n very interesting eihibition ; and it is ail exhibition- of a class which is calculated to 'be of the greatest advantage to the artist, the patron, and the --public, • The artist will be able to cOmpare his work with those of others executed ;either before or after his own, and .also with his own previous or subsequent. works ; the' patrOn will be able to judge whether his client or protege will sustain the reputation anticipated for him ; and the public will be able to learn whether their. impressions. of the merit in an artist from a single work of art are likely to be justi heir or not. Mr. George Arkle will have reason to be proud of his selections, and the societymust hold themselves greatly indebted to him for his liberality in stripping his walls, for their advantage,—Douglas's unrivalled Alchemist ; Dighton's last and most successful effort, Thebes ; Windus's best picture, Darnley signing the compact for the murder of Rizzi° ; his fine DaynlßOberts, and exquisite little Creswicks ; with others we have not space at this moment to enumerate. Mr. Henry Grazebrook contributes so me fine specimens; among them one out of Lord Northwick's collection, by the late 'Henry Howard, for forty-five years secretary of the Royal Academy of London, and professor of painting to that royal establishment. It is one of a' series of subjects he painted of the history of Sabrina, from Milton's Comus. He painted ft picture. from every incident related. He had the nymphs holding up "their pearled wrists" and taking her in; and this picture, where they are • Bearing her straight 6 aged Nereus' hall. • He afterwards represented her being. restored to life by the nymphs, and departing from theta- "made goddess of the river" Severn. He also painted her  Commending her fair innoCem..e to the flood,  to escape  The mad pursuit Of her enraged stepd.ime Guemiolll4; and various other subjects alluded to or described by Milton. Mr. BaruchSon, as the 'chief patron. of the society, 'has' done his utmost to sustain the repute of their patronage of art. He has exhibited a new picture by Lea; and two curious pictures, painted at Rome in 1797 by Panini, for the French ambassador the Duc-de Choiseul ; and several others: " Honfall .and Mr. S. Haigh have . also contributed :interesti bna• works Of various kinds. ' Mrs. Rawdon has sent her "Marriage df Cana,". by Faul,Yeronese., The fathily of the Rushtons have also sent some works of painting and engraving, highly interesting ; and there are, in the present incomplete state of the catalogue,' a number, of valuable works to which we. are unable to attribute owners, and in some instances neither subjects nor painters. But we will take another opportunity of looking in, when. the committee shall bt more ready for us.  ST.