LODGE'S PORTRAITS.
THE first six numbers of the last new edition of LODGE'S Portraits and Memoirs of Illustrious Personages of British History, are before us ; and the fact of its being the fifth edition is sufficient testimony that the encouragement which the work has met with from the public as commensurate with the persevering efforts of the publishers to render it worthy of universal support. For each edition a new set of plates 15 engraved, and its publication commences de NOVO in monthly parts; so that the subscribers may begin with the first number. There are now three or four editions in the course of publication in several mnrithlY, issues ; and an entirely new part -will shortly be added to thern original edition, and will of course be incorporated with every successi.ve iss.ne until the whole work is completed in each edition ; when it will bring the Portraits and Memoirs down to the present period, and include all the eminent characters of the reign of George the Fourth.
When this magnificent project was commenced, no work of a similar kind was in existence; and it had no rival in the beauty and excellence of its plates. Permission was obtained to copy in miniature the finest
portraits of the respective individuals, and the artists employed in this work were the most eminent for talent that could be procured. HILTON, the present Keeper of the Royal Academy, made some of the most admirable copies, in which the pictorial effect and fidelity of re- semblance were combined. These drawings possess the spirit, feeling, and character of original works ; and are quite unique. The copies of his able coadjutors Messrs. SATCHWELL (since dead) and DERBY are scarcely inferior in style, and not at all in accuracy. These beautiful ininiatures, which have been gratuitously exhibited by the proprietors, not only in London but ni the principal provincial cities, form a most splendid collection of portraits, possessing a lively interest both as pictures and as likenesses of celebrated persons. This collection is particularly rich in the finest works of VANDYKE, and contains a great number of HOLBEIN's. quaint fac-similes of physiognomy ; some of them exceedingly Curious; besides other portraits by ZUCCHERO, JANSEN, KNELLED., REYNOLDS, &C. It will also, when complete, in- clude some of LAWRENCE'S portraits, and a few by other modern painters. The engravings of this new edition are of equal beauty with those of the former, and the engravers appear to have paid attention to the preservation of the characteristic expression of the individual as well as the general features of resemblance. This is an important point, and cannot be too carefully looked to, as upon it must depend the value of the portrait. We hope the engravers of the new plates work from the original drawings; for that is the only way to secure spirited and faithful copies. Each plate should bear the test of com- parison with the original.
Previous page
