FINE ARTS.
PICTURES of Hunting Scenes have not been so rife within these few years as formerly ; in consequence, we suppose, of their decline in popularity. HENRY ALKEN'S clever and spirited caricature sketches of Field Sports, in which the red coats were so conspicuous, supplanted the elaborate line engravings which we see adorning the walls of old country houses, where a portly squire, or veteran huntsman on a favourite horse, formed the principal figure in the piece, surrounded by a group of hounds—all portraits. Sportsmen, however, have no reason to complain of a lack of subjects most interesting to them—to wit, Horses and Dogs. The win- ners of the Derby and other Stakes, and portraits of renowned horses, coloured to the life, continue to be regularly published by FULLER or ACKERMANN ; and engraved heads of dogs do all but bark at the peeperS- in at shop-windows. We have before us specimens of the works of two first-rate animal-painters—EDWIN LAND;EER and R.B.DAvxs. LANDSEER'S " Alpine Mastiffs" discovering a traveller buried in the snow, is an interest- ing incident, and is naturally treated : the dogs in particular have grand living character, not only as regards form, but in their action and ex- pression. The engraving, by the artist's father, is excellent, and the play of the lines is bold ; but the texture is somewhat monotonous, and we could wish it had more effect. DAVIs'S " Foxhound and Whelps " is lithographed in a masterly manner by J. W. GILES ; and it is by far the most beautiful and effective of the series of drawings of dogs by these ar- tists. The drawing of the animal, and the prominent marking of the bones and muscles consequent upon her being out of condition, which is accounted for by the litter of puppies around her, are very faithfully re- presented ; and the action and look of the mother are natural and appro- priate. As a specimen of lithography, it is deserving of particular admi- ration, for the rare union of depth and clearness, richness and brilliancy, force and softness.
Another very gond specimen of lithography, is a landscape " Compo. sition" by the late Sir GEORGE BEAumoxx, drawn on stone by H. W. BURGESS, whose bold drawings of trees have excited so much a imiration. It is a woody scene, only remarkable for its nature and simplicity,—two good qualities ; and it is a favourable example of the pleasing, unosten- tatious style of an amateur. Mr. BURGESS has dashed it off in his usual rapid, vigorous, and effective manner, which is so well suited to litho- graphy. We cannot help expressing surprise, that lithographic drawings of landscape scenery, on a large scale, like the one before us, have not been more numerous ; this medium being so particularly well adapted for foliage, and every object requiring freedom of touch to give it due effect. Nor are the capabilities of lithography confined to sketches, for some of the works of Messrs. HARDING, HAGIIE, and others, are not less admirable for finish than for feeling and force. Mr. G. P. REINAGLE jun., who made some sketches of the "untoward event" at Navarino, has put forth a clever outline sketch of the " Com- mon Hard" or landing-place at Portsmouth, showing the shipping and craft ; which, from its fidelity, is interesting as a local view. We have also another pair of Landscape Portraits : Lord Brougham and Sir Walter Scott. The last is rather too palpable, but the first is extremely good. The Chancellor's wig is very accurately represented by a thick wood, and his nose is literally "a jolly tower," as LISTON sings. H. B. has given us his idea of a "Political Union," by representing John Bull in an excited and wrathful mood, grasping a cudgel, and dragging along Lord Grey, who has hold of his arm, but who appears to move
"With slow, reluctant, amorous delay ;"
and is turning towards the King, who positively holds back. We sup- pose H. B. thought the escape of Sir Charles Wetherell from Bristol too serious an affair for mirth, since he has not taken up the subject. Other and less able pencils have, however, been employed upon it in various ways, and in evident imitation of H. B.'s style,—though, like all imita- tors, they are far behind, and fail to catch the spirit of their model. Sir Charles is represented disguised as an old woman (for which, could he hide his male attire, he might well be mistaken) escaping over the roofs of the houses ; and, in another, stealing away through the mob. There are also two ingenious adaptations of the French mode of representing profile portraits, by means of branches of trees, which form their out- line, in the " Tree of Reform" and the " Tree of Corruption," in the foliage of which are visible profiles of the leading Reformers and Anti- Reformers.
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