[ io4 I

4iot expeft every picture he paints, fhould be deemed
fit to exhibit: not by choice but by neceflity, does he
contribute Jixteen pictures to the catalogue ; the true
character of lb me of which, might be juitly expreffed
by faying, they exclude vvorfe.

His portrait of his R. H. the P. of TVales, (No.
155) has been taken pains with, and is in his belt
manner.

No. j 7 3. Portraits of a nobleman'''s three children^
is a very agreeable picture ; his whole-lengths have no
feiaH fhare of merit, which is more than we can fay
of fome of his half-lengths. On the whole* though
Sir J. is certainly president, yet is it rather owing
to the mediocrity of his antagonifts, this year than
to his own fuperior, or more excellent exertions.

• BENJAMIN WEST, R, A.
Has only two pictures this year on which we fhall
criticife ; landicapes not being his profeffed depart-
ment.

No. 153. St. Peter's firji fermon after being filled
ivhh the Holy Ghoji, for his M's. chapel at Windlbr.

It has long been our opinion, that a very extenfive
courfe of ftudies is neceflary to artifts in general; but
to thofe who choofe hiftory painting as their province,
it is indifpenfable. The fubjedt of this picture re-
quires a principal ftation for Peter, and he has it3
good.—But if the words of the text had laid, the
other apoftles flood behind him like fo many ftatues,.
yet a painter who fhould give them fome expreffive
motion, wrould Hand excufed in the opinion of every
judge. What Ihall we fay then, to an artift, who,
when left at liberty to infert fuch probable occur-

rences,