Old times : $b A picture of social life at the end of the eighteenth centuryAshton, John
History
Old times : $b A picture of social life at the end of the eighteenth century
Ashton, John
Great Britain -- Social life and customs
"235. Theseus receiving the Clue from Ariadne. H. Fuseli.--Poor
Theseus, with a broken leg, is endeavouring to support Ariadne,
whose figure suggests more the idea of a _sick ideot_, than a
beautiful woman. Whilst we pity the situation of these two
lovers, we cannot forbear laughing at the little cock-tailed
Minotaur, galoping about, for amusement, in the distance. The
design, however, has some merit, but Theseus appears as if he had
left his skin behind him, and, indeed, some of his muscles are
not in their proper places.
"181. Portraits of three Children. P. Reinagle, A.--The Colouring
of this picture is _Currant Jelly_ and _Chalk_. The glare of
crimson and red, confines the eye, in such a manner, that it is
difficult to find out what the subject is meant for. This picture
(like most of this Artist's works) is an imitation of the stile
of some other master, which is certainly very commendable in a
painter who possesses no genius of his own; but as we do not
think this is the case with Mr. Reinagle, we recommend him, as
before, to look at nature.
"175. Portrait of a young Gentleman, and his brother, flying a
Kite. W. R. Bigg, A.--We cannot determine on the likeness of
these portraits; we are also at a loss to say, whether the
figures, or the Kite, are drawn with most taste and elegance."
Fuseli opened a Gallery for the display of a series of his paintings
illustrating "Paradise lost."
Advt.--"The general impression felt by all kinds of people, on
entering the Milton Gallery, is, this is unlike everything we
have seen before. The old nurses stories about the devil are
properly confuted by the exhibition of a figure that is bold,
daring, and majestic, and a model of muscular strength and
gigantic symmetry. 'I have often wondered,' said a Lady, 'how Eve
could have been tempted to transgress by such a hideous monster,
as Satan has been represented to me: but, if he was, in reality,
such a being as Mr. Fuseli paints him, why--That accounts for
it.'"[14]--(_Times, June 17, 1799._)
[Footnote 14: A slang phrase then in use.]
* * * * *
Advt. "CURIOUS NEEDLEWORK.
"VIEWS in EMBROIDERY will begin to be exhibited THIS DAY at No.
11, New Bond St., consisting of three views of Constantinople,
two of Egypt, one of Switzerland, one of Weymouth, one of the
Tower, and London Bridge, and of Blackfriars, &c., taken from the
top of the Albion Mills, the same as has been seen at the
Panorama.--Admittance 2s. 6d. An Explanation, with a sketch of
the above Views, will be given gratis, at the place of
Exhibition."--(_Times, April 13, 1795._)
* * * * *
Advt. "DAY EXHIBITIONS.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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