(_From a Correspondent_.)
The present school of painting commenced on the 17th of September, and
the students, as usual, have made numerous attempts to copy the
inimitable examples of art which have been selected for their
improvement. The selections consist of specimens from the Italian,
Flemish, Dutch, and English schools, and afford ample variety, in style
and subject, for the different tastes of the students. We are sorry to
state, however, that only a very few copies can be selected as
possessing a fair resemblance to the superb originals. We proceed to
notice those who deserve the most praise:--
_Gainsborough's_ Milk Girl is a most happy production of the
pencil: the figure possesses great infantile beauty; and the landscape
is rural, and in perfect harmony with the subject. This work has been
cleverly copied by Messrs. Sargeant and Lilley in oil, and by Miss Fanny
Corbaux in water-colour.
An Advocate in his Study--_Ostade_: an exquisitely finished cabinet
picture. The expression in the advocate's face is excellent, and the
various objects in his study are in proper keeping with his calling. The
copy by Mr. Novice is excellent; and those of Messrs. Robson and Higham
display great ability, though they are not sufficiently finished.
A Sea-shore, attributed to _Backhuysen_, has been studied by Mr.
Dujardin.
Landscape--_Gaspar Poussin._ This great master admirably delineated
the grandeur of Italian scenery, and invariably chose to represent it
when the clouds forboded a storm, or when other accidental effects of
nature added to the sublimity of the occasion. We generally experience a
kind of awe while contemplating his works; and this feeling is excited
by the _chef d'oeuvre_ before us. Several students have attempted
it in oil; and Messrs. Musgrave, Burbank, and Taylor have copied it in
water-colour.
Messrs. Marks, Sargeant, and Foster deserve notice for their studies
from a Landscape with Figures, by _Waterloo_; and a charming
picture by _Albert Cuyp_, representing a wide champaign country,
with some well-executed figures in the foreground, has engaged the
talents of Messrs. Hilder, Child, and Stanley.
_Guido's_ Magdalen has been beautifully copied, on a small scale,
by Mr. Emmerson; and St. Martin dividing his Garments, by _Rubens_,
has met with successful imitators in the pencils of Messrs. Middleton
and Buss. These gentlemen's copies, however, are considerably smaller
than the original, which is of the dimensions of life.
The Water Mill, a brilliant little picture by _Ruysdael_, has
employed the pencils of several students;--among the most successful of
whom are Messrs. Stark, Lee, and Hilder.
View on the Grand Canal, Venice, by _Canaletti_: this is, perhaps,
the _ne plus ultra_ of the master, and is the property of that
distinguished patron of the fine arts--Lord Farnborough. Miss Dujardin
has produced the best copy: she has painted the buildings, boats, &c.,
with considerable accuracy, and has succeeded in imitating the
transparency of the water. Miss Cook and Mr. Fowler have also copied
this work.
Miss F. Corbaux (in water-colour), and Messrs. Sargeant, Robson,
Simpson, and Lilley (in oil), have well copied the Cupid by _Sir J.
Reynolds_; and Messrs. Fussel, Hilder, Sims, and Hoffland, deserve
praise for their copies from a Dutch Village, by _Ruysdael_. A Corn
Field, by the same master, appears to have been carefully studied by
Messrs. Lee and Novice.
To conclude: A spirited series of small views in Venice, by
_Guardi_, have been prettily imitated by Mr. Sargeant and Miss
Dujardin.