DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6915#0131
POPE'S VILLA,
A 1LANDSCAPE!
PAINTED BY
J. W. M. TURNER, ESQ. R. A.
IN THE COLLECTION OP
Sir 3Jo&n dPIentmB Eetcejster, 33art.
In contemplating the picture of " Pope's Villa," the mind is alternately
soothed and distressed, delighted and provoked. The most pleasurable
sensations are awakened by the taste and skill of the painter; and we view the
residence of the Twickenham Bard with revived emotions of that delight,
which the first perusal of his immortal strains excited, and which the contem-
plation of any object connected with his memory is calculated to bring to our
recollection. This once sacred spot, however, is now desecrated : the dwelling
of the poet has been levelled to the ground, and his favorite haunts have
been despoiled of their local charms. Pope's Villa, like that of Maecenas, in
the vicinity of Rome, has been indiscreetly destroyed ; and the peculiarities of
both will be recorded only in the annals of literature, and their architectural
characteristics on the canvas and on the copper. Wilson has rendered the
ruins of one familiar to our minds by an exquisite little picture ; and Turner
has taken a portrait of the other at the time of its dissolution. A most memo-
rable crisis! for had the artist then neglected to sketch its features, he would
in vain have attempted the task after the extermination had been effected;
and however vivid his imagination, he could not have recalled the identity and
positive features of the scene so truly and satisfactorily as now displayed. Such
is the important use, such are the fascinating charms of the pencil; directed by
the powerful mind of Turner, and guided by his masterly hand, it has presented
us a picture replete with beauty, sentiment, and sweetness. To harmony of
colouring, and appropriate composition, is united the well-timed accessory of
pastoral simplicity, rendered sweeter by the serenity of evening. All the parts
are in unison, and all tend to produce one sentiment; but that sentiment is of
A 1LANDSCAPE!
PAINTED BY
J. W. M. TURNER, ESQ. R. A.
IN THE COLLECTION OP
Sir 3Jo&n dPIentmB Eetcejster, 33art.
In contemplating the picture of " Pope's Villa," the mind is alternately
soothed and distressed, delighted and provoked. The most pleasurable
sensations are awakened by the taste and skill of the painter; and we view the
residence of the Twickenham Bard with revived emotions of that delight,
which the first perusal of his immortal strains excited, and which the contem-
plation of any object connected with his memory is calculated to bring to our
recollection. This once sacred spot, however, is now desecrated : the dwelling
of the poet has been levelled to the ground, and his favorite haunts have
been despoiled of their local charms. Pope's Villa, like that of Maecenas, in
the vicinity of Rome, has been indiscreetly destroyed ; and the peculiarities of
both will be recorded only in the annals of literature, and their architectural
characteristics on the canvas and on the copper. Wilson has rendered the
ruins of one familiar to our minds by an exquisite little picture ; and Turner
has taken a portrait of the other at the time of its dissolution. A most memo-
rable crisis! for had the artist then neglected to sketch its features, he would
in vain have attempted the task after the extermination had been effected;
and however vivid his imagination, he could not have recalled the identity and
positive features of the scene so truly and satisfactorily as now displayed. Such
is the important use, such are the fascinating charms of the pencil; directed by
the powerful mind of Turner, and guided by his masterly hand, it has presented
us a picture replete with beauty, sentiment, and sweetness. To harmony of
colouring, and appropriate composition, is united the well-timed accessory of
pastoral simplicity, rendered sweeter by the serenity of evening. All the parts
are in unison, and all tend to produce one sentiment; but that sentiment is of