PICTURES AND ARTISTS.
TIIE engraving of GEORGE HATTER'S picture of the House of Lords during the Trial cf Queen Caroline, is now completed. It has been executed in mezzotint, by Messrs. BROMLEY, PORTER, and MunuAy,. under the superintendence of Mr. BOWYER of Pall Mall, the publisher. It is unnecessary to describe a picture so well known : suffice it to say,. that the general character and effect are well preserved, and that the print is attractive as a work of art as well as interesting from its sub- ject. The grouping and arrangement of the numerous figures are very skilful ; each countenance is rendered perceptible, without spoil- ing the harmony and completeness of the striking coup d'eril. The picture is well filled, without crowding ; an appearance of life and interest is given to the scene, without any confusion ; and the interior is in good perspective—the effect of space and air is well repre- sented. The principal light is properly centered on the Queen ; her advocates, Brougham, Denman, and Lushington, are prominent figures in the foreground. Earl Grey is in the act of addressing the House on some point of the evidence of Majocchi, who is under examination. The pictorial merits of the performance are very great. This, and the Trial of Lord William Russell, which is a finer picture, because the scene is rendered more picturesque by the costumes and accessaries, are two works upon which the reputation of the artist may safely rest, even should he produce no greater. We hope, however, that he will not merge the fame of a history painter in the more profitable employ- ment of a limner.
We should, indeed, have preferred a picture of the House of Lords when its members were engaged in some more noble and grateful duty than that of the trial of an injured Queen. We hoped to have had a more interesting view of the interior of the House, with the Peers in their robes, and the King on his throne, giving his assent to the Bill of Reform. This would have been a national picture, more worthy of the palace than a tawdry procession. The triumph of Reform, however, will not be without a grand' pictorial commemoration ; though it will be coupled with the People, instead of the King—with the Unions, and not the House of Peers. Mr. 1-IAYDON is preparing a large picture of the Meeting of the Bir- mingham Union at Newhall Hill, when thanks were offered up for the salvation of the peace of the country by the reinstatement in office of Lord Grey and his coadjutors. We have been favoured with a sight of some of the portraits and other sketches for this great picture, which is to he painted for the town of Birmingham, at the expense of MO subscribers at one guinea each ; every subscriber to receive a print of the engraving to be made from the painting. The heads of Messrs. Attwood, Scholefield, Parkes, Muntz, Hadley, and others, are full of vigorous character and energetic expression ; they are good subjects, and have been sketched by Mr. HAYDON with characteristic truth and in his forcible manner. The head of the clergyman offering up the prayer, which was solemnly responded to by two hundred thousand voices, has a remarkably fine expression. The principal figures will be of the size of life.
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