FINE ARTS.
PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION AT THE SOCIETY OF ARTS.
The photographic collection to which we alluded last week was opened on Monday to the public. It is a very large one, and, what is more im- portant, of first-class excellence. The catalogue enumerates nearly four hundred specimens, but the actual number exceeds this by upwards of two hundred. The contributors are French and English alone • the equal, if not even superior skill of American photographers, as displayed at the Great Exhibition, makes their absence a loss.
In choice of subject there is a great deal of variety. Portraits are numerous, but less so than landscapes and architecture. The last class of subjects is that which the French contributions exemplify in the great majority of instances : the English carry their love of forest scenery, and of the nooks and corners and tangled luxuriance of landscape, into photo- graphy, as into every other form of art. 'This was noticed by Mr. Fenton in his lecture ; and Mr. Fenton himself supplies many cases in point. His specimens are generally of a very superior order, and are specially distinguished by depth of light and shade, and by a preference for a more decidedly black tone than is generally affected _by photographers. Other prominent and excellent contributors are Mr. H. Owen, Mr. Delamotte, Mr. B. B. Turner, and Mr. Bingham, among the English ; MM. Pecquerel and Du Camp among the French. Some views near Lyons, by Mr. Ferrier, are absolutely perfect for brilliancy and completeness of tran- script: whether the artist is French or English we cannot say. Contri- butions of special interest, and in which the invaluable aid of photo- graphy is applied to a purpose of a scientific kind, are two cases of "Types of Insanity," by Dr. Diamond. In two other instances we find the effect of moonlight attempted with some success. To go through the collection pausing at each instance of exquisite finish and truth, would be but solemn trifling. We do not criticize nature ; and the means of rendering allow of only slight shades of difference in the approach to identical representation. But we recommend all persons -who appreciate either art or nature—much more those who take a special interest in the science of photography—to visit this exhibition, as one of the most interesting and delightful that was ever opened.
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