Repository: UIHistories Project: Book - Gregory Art Collection Catalog (Gregory) [PAGE 23]

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Lconidas and the Spartans.—This beautiful picture isfrom a painting of David (See No. 22,) and represents Leonidas and his followers at Thermopylae preparing to sacrifice their lives in a final conflict with the hosts of Xerxes. The figures of the warriors display too much elegance for the sturdy Spartans, and lack somewhat in expression, but the grouping of the figures and the design, as a whole, is very much admired by critics. ^&G. The Sabine Women.—This is one of the most famous of David's (See No. 22) paintings, and the original is in the Louvre at Paris. It represents the Sabine women throwing themselves into the midst of the conflict between the Romans—therr husbands—and the Sabines,their fathers and brothers. The picture lacks strength ; there is too much grace and too little passionate movement. The elegant youth in the foreground, probably represents Romulus, the nursling of the wolf. The delicate figures of the women seem out of place—as the hardy Sabine women, wives and daughters of warriors. In the background the rocky ramparts of ancient Rome rise up to view. _^37. Surrender of Jtary Queen of Scots to the confederate lords at Carberry Hill, 1567, by Chisholm, an English artist. / 3 S . Death of Thomas aitffckct. ABecket was assassinated the Canterbury cathedral in 1170.' ^ « * 3 9 . Divine Justice and Vengeance Pursuing Crime.— This is an engraving of thecelebrated painting of Prudhon in the Louvre gallery. Prudhon (1758-1823,) was a French painter of some renown. His works are noted for their graceful design and .-skill of execution. This picture represents the crime of Cain. The murderer has just performed the terrible deed, and turns in fright from the bloody figure of his broth•and the terrible forms of the wrathful angels. The scene is noetur', and the heavy shadows add a wierd and grotesque horror to the picture. N * V " Deer Distitrbcd.-(Aus(ie\l.) y*l> Waiting for Help.—(Ansdell.) TURNER, J. M. W.—(1775-1851.) Born in London. At an early age he developed great talents for painting. He was a student at the Royal academy, and in 1790 first exhibited one of his works. He was a close student of nature, always seeking novel effects. His first pictures are much admired but in his later years he went color-mad as it were, and -nine of his paintings seem just a mass of color, with no form or shape. Buskin ha s added much to this painter's fame, by his leugthy and extravagant praises of his genius. Dover.—This is among the best of Turner's works, and perhaps no other painter could have so caught the spirit of this breezy scene and put it ou canvas. The high bluffs in the background, the sloops and vessels tossed on the rough sea, the storm brewing over head, and the queer lights and shadows attendant upon such a storm are all depicted here with artistic fidelity. . • - 4 3 . Hastings.— This is a companion piece to No. 42. It also belongs to Turner's best style.

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it ^, , ^ 4 4 . .1 Literary Party at Sir J. Reynolds'.—'.Junior E. ^ Doyle.) The great painter is represented as surrounded by his friends, imong whom we see Bos well, Dr. Johnson, David Garrick and Oliver Goldsmith. NICOLAS POUSSIN.—(1694-1665.) One of the greatest of French painters. He studied at Rome and studied Italian art. In 1639 Louis X I I I invited him to France and gave him a pension but he soon grew tired of court life and returned to Rome. He is best known by his landscapes. 4 5 . Plight into Egypt.— This engraving is from a painting of L ^ ^ .,Nicolas Poussin representing Joseph and Mary in the act of reposing /during the journey to Egypt. The wearied Joseph is slumbering after the fatigues of travel, but the untiring mother feeds the child with the food furnished her by angel hands. The picture is full of grace and beauty. This is the work of Ralph Morghen, the celebrated engraver of the last century. 4fi. Dancing Figurcs^K^K^Lgnving is also one of Ralph Morghen's, and is from a pail ' • c o l a s Poussin. It probably represents the four seasons w h o ^ B W m i e i n g to the music of the harp, 1 played by Time. In the heavens appears the chariot of Apollo surround-1 ed by the Hours, strewing flower* hi the path. The landscape is one of Poussin's best efforts, and the figures are of inimitable grace. WILLIAM HOGARTH.—(1698-1762.) An artist who devoted his brush '.o the delineation of English manners and customs. His pictures are generally small, but well finished. '_f0s41. Garrick Surrountlcd by his Friends.—This is from a inting by Hogarth. Among the figures we recognize Garrick sitting with bis knee drawn up on a chair iu the center of the room. The figure in the foreground turning simply the profile to view is Hogarth himself. S I R D A V I D WILKIE.—(1785-1841.) An English painter of distinguished merit. In 1805 he went to London where he attracted considerable attention by his talents, and iu 1811 was made a royal academician. H e chiefly portrayed scenes from common life. 4 8 . Rent Day.— This is one of the best of VVilkie's works. It is a true genre painting ; picturing with much fidelity the varied expressions on the faces of the tenants as they come to the overseer to pay their monthly rent. Some countenances have a well pleased look as if the owners were well satisfied with themselves, while others look anxious and unhappy at the thought of the debts which they cannot pay. /tAsw-t 4 9 . The Hole in the' Pocket .—This picture explains itself. 5 0 . Cat's Cradle. , 5 1 . Birds of Feather.

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