f EXHIBITION OF THE SOCIETY OF BRI FISH ARTISTS.
• THIS exhibition opened to the public on Monday last ; and at the first glance of the pictures which constitute it, we were painfully struck with the nodule predominance of mere mechanical skill—the handicraft of art—over
• feeling for and a true perception of nature. We regret to say, also, that there :is scarcely one successful attempt in high art. The sight-seer will find a
• Inultitude of gaily-coloured paintings to look at ; the artist, who seeks after technical ability, will see many works which lie will value on the whole, and many more of which he will appreciate the excellence of parts, either as re- gards colour and effect or individual portions of the detail ; but the con- noisseur will perceive very little on which his eve will rest with delight or satisfaction, and still less to excite higher feelings; while- the critic is af. forded too much room, and too great temptation indeed, to find fault, and must exercise forbearance, if he would speak favourably of what is before him.
In an exhibition consisting of 872 works of art,. including Taintiogs in -oil and water-colours, models, drawings, engravings, and lithographs, the productions of more than four hundred artists, it would be singular indeed were there not something to admire and more to commend ; but there could hardly be less. Labour, ingenuity, and talent, have been employed far more successfully' and abundantly than genius, taste, or poetical feeling. We are also surprised to see so few specimens of engraving and lithography in an exhibition where works in this department of art are allowed.
We must reserve any enumeration of the pictures till next week.
Previous page
