ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE, ANNUALS—No. II.
THE IRIS.
Had our lively neighbours the Fsrench put forth an annual with this title, they would have tricked it, out literally in all the colours of the rainbow ; but we sobersulindeilt English wrap it in a purple covering, more appropriate to the se- tious character of its contents than to the title. The Illustrations cc 'mist entirely of line engravings from Histori- cal Pictures of Scriptur al subjects, by eminent modern and ancient masters ; and had jusstice been done to the fine originals by the en- gravers, these would have been the best illustrations, and we should have wanted space 'o praise them sufficiently. Nor is the mechanical part of the erigr-
THE GEM.
An engraving, from Box's/GT osr, of a view in the town of Bergnes, - near Dunkirk, exhibiting the curious old tower, which has little pepper- box turrets at each of its four angles, is at once picturesque and in- teresting, and makes an effective print thnngh Iva think thr ungrtnrisr W. J. Cooxr,firis not done ample justice to his original. The ireati of a Boy, from LAWRENCE, possesses fine infant character, and reminds one of Sir JOSHUA: it is nicely stippled by THomsoss, in a delicate and effective manner, and forms an interesting plate. We are glad to see en- graved one of Mr. HILTON'S poetical pictures of a nymph toying with Cupid : we would fain welcome oftener his designs of this description, so prodigal of pulpy flesh and purple fruitage. It is a sweet little picture. Ills nymphs are no petite and crude beauties, but ample and ripe in all the prime of womanhood. His children are scions of the majestic parent stem : we know no artist who paints children with so much gusto ; lavishing on them all the wealth of nature and the refinements of art. This picture has been coldly engraved, by ENGELHEART, in the line manner : it wants keeping and effect : the flesh of the nymph and child form one almost undistinguishable mass. DEAN would have ren- dered it better in stipple. Two of Mr. HOWARD'S classical designs of "Cupid disarming Mars," and "Hope and Love," are graceful, and artist-like compositions, with faces which, for such pretty pictures, are very insipid : the engraving of the latter, by J. GOODYEAR, is heavy and feeble. We have three of Mr. COOPER'S designs ; two of which are battle-pieces, whose compositions we have surely seen before. The third, a blood-hound seizing his victim, is clever as regards the dog ; but the position of the man we do not understand, and the lady seems flying from some other terror : the black slave is comic, and the disposition of the draperies sufficiently arbitrary. " Vittoria Co- lonna" is the title given to an extremely clever and beautiful design of a Roman peasant mother and child, by A. Cosrie, whose pictures we have had frequent occasion to praise and admire. His art is excellent, and he does not omit expression. The drapery of these two figures—that of the mother in particular—is beautifully yet simply arranged. The engraving, by GREATBACH, is elaborate, but hard, and the face of the woman stony. A composition a la LINTON, the view of a Dutch canal, with a theatrical perspective of Grecian temples placed like side scenes on the stage, and an effect of sun-light, with a tree, both stolen from CLAUDE, bears the name of J. CREWICK ; and a lady writ. ing, it la ISIETZU, called Lady Russell, bears no name at all.
THE CHRISTMAS BOX.
As embellishments for an Annual present, at a cheap price, for the young folks, these plates are not to be judged by the high standard by which we measure the value of their more mature and exquisite compeers. If they are amusing, interesting, and intelligible, they will prove not less, but even more attractive to their juvenile dmirers, than those of higher pretensions. The plates to the Christmas Boa: (a good titlefor a book of this description) are eight in number, and the subjects are mostly well selected and appropriate ; but we have one fault to find with them,— and it is, that they have too much pretension, not always borne out by the execution, and are rather an inferior sort of the same class as the other annuals, than superior of another kind. " The Lesson," " The Young Fisherman," " The Cottager," and " The Brigand," are the best : the last is excellent. " The Mischievous Boys" is unintelligible, and not a pretty subject. The " View in the Zoological Gardens" is an appropriate scene, with a bright effect, but not well engraved. " My Sister" is a total failure. We shall be glad if we can award more un- qualified praise to the letterpress. , sving wanting in elaboration ; but what is beauty of line, when expression, effect, and sometimes drawing are deficient ? The vignette in th'e title-page is a head of Christ by LAWRENCE ; and it makes a bee'Jtiful study, full of grace and of antique character. The heads in they engraving from WEST's famous picture of " Christ blessing little ChPidren ' are feebly rendered, and huddled together in a confused mass, without keeping. The magnificent contour and drapery of the St. Jr;tin of Domisricnisro make of themselves a grand and beautifu picture ; but the divinity of the expression in the face is wanting Nathan, in WEST'S " Nathan and David," is the Elymas of RAPHAELI and David a feeble and blind old man. The " Nativity" of Sir JOSHUA REYNOLDS is better, as regards the effect ; but then, what an effect does the original possess ! The Virgin and Child of CORREGGIO are a fine mother and infant ; and the plate is beautifully engraved by AUGUSTUS Fox : but we doubt his fidelity in rendering the mouths. The "Deluge" of N. POUSSIN, that grand and immortal work, is heavily engraved, and wants (as what engraving would not want ?) the sublime desolation of the original, as expressed in the tone and air of the picture. The " Christ blessing the Bread," from CARLO DOLCE, is elaborate and beautiful, as were all his works, but it is not the Saviour of Mankind : the engraving of Earso al is excellent. The " Infant St. John " of Mtr- Ruse° never had those Lely-like eyes and head which Mr. DA. VENPORT has given him, in his otherwise very effective engraving. REMBRANDT'S " Judas returning the thirty pieces" is well engraved, by W. RADDON. It is an impressive picture, for all the persons are interested in the subject; the Judas is fine in character, and the com- position is admirable. We are not surprised that an engraving on a small scale, from an historical picture by TITIAN, should disappoint us. Without colour, and with such a feeble attempt as the present to ren- der it in black and white, his drawing of the figure spoils its effect ; and accordingly, the "Christ in the Garden with Mary" is worth only the merit of the landscape. Mr. ENSOM ought to have done better by TITIAN, or else not have attempted it.
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