Edwards, Amelia B.: Pharaohs, fellahs and explorers (New York, NY, 1892)

10G

PHARAOHS, FELLAHS, AND EXPLORERS.

with no attempt at drapery or finish. "When Sir Frederick
Burton, Director of the English Rational Gallery, saw this
series of heads on exhibition at the Egyptian Hall, Picca-
dilly, in 1SSS, a few weeks after they had been discovered,
he pronounced our elderly Roman to be " worth all the rest
put together "—not, of course, as " a thing of beauty," but
for force, character, and mastery of the painter's craft. On
hearing this verdict, the owner of the picture, who had in-
tended it for his private collec-
tion, generously presented it,
with two others, to the Ration-
al Gallery.

There is not only individuality
but spirit in the head of a young
Greek reproduced on page 103.
The eyes are bright and trans-
lucent ; the nose is well shaped ;
the chin is disproportionately
long. Dashed off in hot haste, the
effect is brilliant but sketchy, as
if done at one sitting. The hair is
apparently unfinished; the back-
ground is flung upon the panel
with a few strokes of a broad
brush, every fibre of which is
traceable: and the artist, con-
tent to get in the effect of the
white chiton, has not even car-
ried it down to the bottom of
the picture. Our young Greek was probably somewhat of
a petit-maitre, for the olive wreath on his head is gilded.
This reminds us of the golden wreaths and golden sandal-
clasps of Xeuxis, and other painter-princes of the golden
age of Hellenic art, and it is interesting to find this special
piece of dandyism surviving down to the time of Hadrian.

There is no lack of expression in the dejected counte-
nance of the Roman lady who follows on page 104. Her

THE STl'DKNT