FINE ARTS,
DEATH OF SIR AUGUSTUS CALLCOTT, R.A.
THE death of Sir AUGUSTUS Car.a.corr has deprived as of one of our best landscape-painters, and the Royal Academy of one of its most ho- nourable and distinguished members. His landscapes, second only to TURNER'S, will always be prized among the choicest examples of the English schooL Possessing a delicate perception of the beauties of na- ture, refined feeling, and pure taste, cultivated by travel and study, the late Sir AUGUSTUS CALLCOTT was an artist of intellectual stamp and high attainments in his profession. His pictures are characterized by classic elegance of composition, neatness and precision of drawing, finished execution, and a chaste silvery tone verging on coldness. He ap- pears to have modelled his style on that of CLAUDE, and his forte lay in the representation of scenes of tranquil beauty. Italian seaports with rippling waves illumined by the radiance of cloudless sunlight, and Dutch river- scenes with extended views of level country, he most excelled and de- lighted in ; though he often varied his choice of subjects by depicting stormy seas and English rustic scenery. His landscapes are mostly re- markable for their lateral extent : he loved a long stretch of horizon. The beautiful pervades all his productions; he rarely attempted the sublime : serenity was the element of his genius. Among moderu landscape- painters he is preeminent for the human interest which he gave to his scenes : they were always fittingly peopled ; and the skilful grouping and masterly drawing of his figures add greatly to their attraction and excel- lence. Sir Aunt:inns CALLCOTT was also a clever designer ; and among his latest efforts were two large pictures with figures life-size- MI/ton Dictating to his Daughters, and Raffaelle and the Fornarina-the last of which was engraved for the Art- Union. Admirable as they were in many respects, however, there is a tameness and deficiency of animation and fire in them, that exemplify the want of dramatic action and expression of character, which are essential to success in depicting sentiment and passion. The fame of Cam.corr rests on his landscapes.
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