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tne stuay ot weeits.j.FINE ARTS.THE EXHIBITION OF THE BRITISH INSTITUTION.The opening of this gallery on Monday last, for the exhibition of the Works of modern British Artists, may be said to commence the London artistic season, and is usually looked forward to with great interest. Some of our most distinguished patrons of art are always to be met with on this interesting occasion; and hosts of artists, from the celebrated It. A. to the most humble aspirant, are also to be met with. To such it is a meeting of more than ordinary gratification. We are sorry to observe that for several years past this institution has certainly not progressed. Many speculations have been advanced as to the cause by our contemporaries; but no two appear to agree about it. One clever writer in a morning paper thinks that it is the undue influence of the Academy members, who, by always scouring the best places, have crushed and disheartened the rising talents of their younger brethren. Whether this be the case or not, we cannot pretend to decide ; but, certainly, we must say that we miss from the walls the works of Landseer, Etty, Turner, and Stanfield. The same places which they formerly occupied have never been so well filled since. In the present collection there is a great want of leading pictures, Messrs. Lee and Cooper have two large subjects between them, both ‘Landscapes and Cattle/ They occupy a very large portion of the best part of the rooms, and, clever as they undoubtedly are, they are inferior to the same style of subjects exhibited by them in last year’s Royal Academy ; both of these gentlemen have talent enough to depend upon their own exertions, and we cannot help thinking that they will not ultimately add to their reputation by this species of manufacturing. John Martin exhibits a large and important picture, ‘ Joshua commanding the Sun to Stand Still;’ with all the eccentricities of his manner, it is full of talent and imagination. The composition is grand and impressive, and the details of the whole subject are marked out with a care and knowledge that is creditable to Mr. Martin’s reputation. The universal objection to this clever artist’s productions is his colour: it is cold and disagreeable to the eye. His works, however, always engrave well, and we have no doubt when this is reduced to black ana white it will be very effective. Mr. E. Goodall’s nictures this vear are all of a cabinet size, and are trnlv
Newspaper Details
London Ladys Newspaper
London, Middlesex, GB
Sat, Feb 17, 1849
Page 11
Full Page
Clipped by
Adam N.
NA, 02 Nov 2024
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