110. _Cardinals, Priests, and Roman Citizens washing the Pilgrims'
Feet_.--D. Wilkie.--This ceremony takes place during the holy week, in
the Convent of Santa Trinita dei Pelligrini; and Mr. Wilkie has infused a
devotional character into this picture which is highly characteristic of
Catholic solemnity.
127. _Portrait of Jeremy Bentham_--H.W. Pickersgill.--An admirable
likeness of the veteran-patriot and political economist.
128. _The Defence of Saragossa_.--D. Wilkie.--The subject is so well
explained in the Catalogue, that we quote it:--
"The heroine Augustina is here represented on the battery, in front of the
convent of Santa Engratia, where her husband being slain, she found her
way to the station he had occupied, stept over his body, took his place
at the gun, and declared she would herself avenge his death.
"The principal person engaged in placing the gun is Don Joseph Palafox,
who commanded the garrison during the memorable siege, but who is here
represented in the habit of a volunteer. In front of him is the Reverend
Father Consolaçion, an Augustin Friar, who served with great ability as
an engineer, and who, with the crucifix in his hand, is directing at what
object the cannon is to be pointed. On the left side of the picture is
seen Basilico Boggiero, a priest, who was tutor to Palafox, celebrated for
his share in the defence, and for his cruel fate when he fell into the
hands of the enemy. He is writing a despatch to be sent by a carrier
pigeon, to inform their distant friends of the unsubdued energies of the
place."
In this part of the room are half a dozen excellent portraits, all by
different artists.
149. _The Soldier's Wife_--W.F. Witherington.--This picture is from an
anecdote of the late Duke of York. His Royal Highness, as he returned one
day from a walk, observed a poor woman in tears, sent away from his house.
On asking the servant who she was, he answered, "A beggar, some soldier's
wife." "A soldier's wife!" returned his Royal Highness; "give her
immediate relief: what is your mistress but a soldier's wife?"--An
interesting picture, although we do not think the likeness of the
benevolent Duke is very striking. However, the incident must have occurred
a few years previous to his decease.
157. _Lord Byron's Dream_.--C.L. Eastlake.--A rich oriental landscape,
and a most delightful scene of desert stillness.
172. _Portrait of Robert Southey, Esq._--Sir T. Lawrence--We hope the
president's portrait will please the laureate, for he has been rather
tenacious about his "likenesses" which have been engraved. The present is,
perhaps, one of the most intellectual portraits in the room, but is too
energetic even for the impassioned poet.
181. _Queen Margaret of Anjou_, being defeated at the battle of Hexham,
flies with the young prince into a forest, where she meets with robbers,
to whose protection she confides her son.--H. P. Briggs.--This subject is
by no means new in art, but is here cleverly treated, and the whole is
very effective.
214. _Othello and Desdemona_.--R. Evans.--Why is Othello in armour? Let
Mr. Planché, in his _Costumes_, look to this.
216. _Portrait of Miss Phillips, of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, as
Juliet_.--H. E. Dawe.--This picture is entirely devoid of flattery; and
is by no means a good likeness of the interesting original.
224. _Roman Princess, with her Attendant, washing the female pilgrim's
feet_.--D. Wilkie--An affecting picture of a truly devotional incident.
246. _Camilla introduced to Gil Blas at the Inn_.--G. S. Newton.--This
picture is considered to be Mr. Newton's _chef d'oeuvre_. The landlord is
entering the chamber with a flambeau in his hand lighting in a lady, more
beautiful than young, and very richly dressed; she is supported by an old
squire, and a little Moorish page carries her train. The lankiness of
Camilla is somewhat objectionable, but the head is exquisitely animated.
The sentimentality of Gil Blas too, is excellent.
293. _The Confessional--Pilgrims confessing in the Basilica of
St. Peter's_.--D. Wilkie.--An interesting picture, though not equal to
others by the same artist, in the present exhibition.
322. _Hadleigh Castle. The mouth of the Thames--morning after a stormy
night_--J. Constable--The picturesque beauty of this scene is spoiled by
the spotty "manner of the artist."
352. _Coronation of the Remains of Ines de Castro_.--G. St. Evie.--An
attractive picture of one of the most extraordinary scenes in history.
The remains of Dona Ines de Castro taken out of her tomb six years after
the interment, when she was proclaimed queen of Portugal. This is an
illustration of Mrs. Hemans's beautiful lines which we quoted in a recent
number of the MIRROR.
455. _Portrait of Mrs. Locke, sen_.--Sir T. Lawrence.--A Reubens-like
portrait of a benevolent lady, and which we take to be an excellent
likeness.
592. _Portrait of John Parker, Esq. on his favourite horse Coroner, with
the Worcestershire fox hounds_.--T. Woodward.--We can relate a curious
circumstance connected with this picture. While in the room, a country
gentleman and his lady inquired of us the subject--we turned to the number
in the Catalogue, and gave him the desired information. "Ah," said he,
"I was sure it was _Parker_, and told my wife the same, although I was not
previously aware of his portrait being in the Exhibition." We should think
the resemblance must be very striking.
The _Antique Academy_ is almost covered with portraits, and the miniatures
hang in cluster-like abundance--so that what with bright eyes and
luxuriant tresses, this is not the least attractive of the rooms.
In the _Library_ are several fine architectural drawings; among which is
a view of Chatsworth, by Sir J. Wyatville, including, as we suppose, all
the magnificent additions and improvements, now in progress there. Mr.
Soane's Designs for entrances to the Parks and the western part of
London, (which we alluded to in our No. 360,) are likewise here.
In the _Model Academy_, Messrs. Chantrey and Westmacott have some fine
groups, and Behnes three fine busts--the Duke of Cumberland, Princess
Victoria, and Lady Eliz. Gower.
It would be easy to extend this notice through the present and next
number, but as other matters press, and as all the town go to Somerset
House, we hope this notice will be sufficient; for it is not in our
power to enumerate half the fine pictures in the Exhibition, much as we
rejoice at this flourishing prospect of British art.
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