Class X.]

EXGLISII AXD AMERICAN DAGUERREOTYPES, &c.

277

light and shade, disposed in large masses. Among thesubjects exhibited are four tableaux from the “ Soldier’sDream,” and several groups from Nature , variously ar-ranged. Mr. Mayall’s strong and broad masses of lightand shade are better adapted for landscape scenery, ofwhich the “ Falls of Niagara” is a favourable specimen.Ilis “ Bacchus and Ariadne, ” 21 in. by 15 in., is, perhaps,the largest daguerreotype which has yet been executed.The difficulty of duly preparing so great a surface mustbe extreme. lie has also exhibited a crayon daguerreo-type, produced by a process of his own invention.*

Beard (No. 292, p. 440) has exhibited a case of daguer-reotypes, some of them enamelled, according to a processinvented by himself.f

Larociie (Class XXX., No. 252, p. 837) has exhibitedthree small daguerreotypes: two are coloured: the third,a group of statuary, is good.

Voictlander and Evans (Class XXX., No. 254, p.837), Knightsbridge, have exhibited coloured daguer-reotypes.

Of the remaining exhibitors in England,— Griffithsami Le Beau (No. 404, p. 453) have exhibited a case ofdaguerreotype miniatures, coloured. Paine (No. 295,p. 440), a series of photographic pictures, intended toshow the processes of the art. Tyree (No. 299, p. 442),coloured daguerreotype portraits; and Craddock. (ClassXXX., No. 227, p. 834), photographic copies of variousengravings.

On examining the daguerreotypes contributed by theUnited States , every observer must be struck with theirbeauty of execution, the broad and well-toned masses oflight and shade, and the total absence of all glare, whichrender them so superior to many works of this class.Were we to particularize the individual excellences ofthe pictures exhibited, we should far exceed the limits ofspace to which we are necessarily confined. Where allis good, it follows that remarks must be restricted topeculiar excellence alone.

Before speaking of the several works exhibited, it isbut fair to our own photographists to observe, that muchas America has produced, and excellent as are her works,every effort has been seconded by all that climate andthe purest of atmospheres could effect; and when we con-sider how important an element of the process is a clearatmosphere, we must be careful not to overrate thatsuperiority of execution ■which America certainly mani-fests.

Lawrence, of New York (United States , No. 151,p. 144G), has exhibited several daguerreotype portraits,uticoloured. They are remarkable for clear definitionand general excellence of execution. In this series twolarge portraits of General J. Watson and W. Bryant, Esq.,each of which measures 12$ in. by 10-J in., deserveparticular commendation. Notwithstanding their largesize, they are, throughout, perfectly in focus, and arebeautifully finished in all their details. These are two ofthe best pictures in the American collection. A portraitof General J. W. Wells, and of a lady in a black silkdress, of a smaller size, are also remarkable. A CouncilMedal was awarded to Mr. Lawrence by the Jury, butnot confirmed by the Group.

Brady (United States , No. 137, p. 1441) has exhibitedforty-eight daguerreotypes, uncoloured. These are ex-cellent for beauty of execution. The portraits standforward in bold relief, upon a plain background. Theartist having placed implicit reliance upon his knowledgeof photographic science, has neglected to avail himself ofthe resources of art. The portraits of General Taylor,Calhoun, General Cass, and James Perry, are strikinglyexcellent; but all are so good that selection is almostimpossible. The Jury awarded the Prize Medal to Mr.Brady.

Whipple (United States , No. 451, p. 1464) has exhi-bited several specimens of daguerreotypes, amongst whichone of the moon may be mentioned with the highestcommendation: this is, perhaps, one of the most satis-

* See the Illustrated Catalogue, and the Athenaeum for1850, p. 1048.

t Sec the illustrated Catalogue, note ii. p. 423.

factory attempts that has yet been made to realise, by aphotographic process, the telescopic appearance of aheavenly body, and must be regarded as indicating thecommencement of a new era in astronomical represen-tation. The same exhibitor has included in his collectionthree pictures, containing several full-length figures, wellgrouped, and artistically arranged. Each part is well infocus, and the definition is admirable. An agreeable tonepervades all these pictures. A Prize Medal was awardedto Mr. Whipple.

Mayall (United States , No. 491, p. 1465) has con-tributed largely to the American collection,—his workshere being characterized by the same broad masses oflight and shadow as those which he has exhibited in theBritish Department (No. 291). The subjects of the pic-tures in the present series consist chiefly of small groupsand portraits; also two cases containing illustrations ofthe Lord’s Prayer. The majority of these (most of whicharc uncoloured) are effective, verging upon the theatricalin point of style, but they are not all equally well defined.We should be doing Mr. Mayall an injustice, were we notto mention, as a brilliant exception to the above criticism,a small figure of a female reclining: it is exquisite indelicacy of execution, harmonious distribution of lightand shade, whilst an admirable tone pervades the wholepicture ; this, the finest of Mr. Mayall’s contributions, isfree from colour, and is daguerreotyped from a classicwork of art. The Jury awarded Honourable Mention tothis exhibitor.

Evans, New York (United States, No. 105, p. 1440),has exhibited several portraits of great merit. Those ofthe Rev. — Ingersoll, Dr. Nott, Dr. Lord, and Dr. Shel-ton, are characterized by peculiar excellence; also twoportraits, each of a lady sitting near a table upon whicha group of flowers is displayed, deserve to be noticed asfair specimens of the perfection to which this applicationof science, to the purposes of art, has been carried.

Meade Brothers (United States , No. 109, p. 1440)have exhibited a series of portraits of more than ordinarysize. Conspicuous among this collection are the headsof Wallack and II. W. Meade. The modulation of lightand shade upon these last is admirable, os well as thedetails of the features, and the total absence of all harsh-ness : the artistic effect is excellent. Greater credit isdue to this collection of portraits, than to the series ofallegorical subjects exhibited by Mr. Meade.

Pratt, Richmond, and Co. (United States , No. 264,p. 1452), have exhibited several daguerreotypes, ofvarious degrees of excellence. The profile of an oldman, assisted by colour, is the best.

Whitehurst, Virginia (United States, No. 377, p.1461), has exhibited twelve views of the Falls of Niagara.These are admirable, and possess a degree of reality notalways attained in landscapes produced by the daguer-reotype process.

Among the remaining exhibitors of daguerreotypes inthe United States Department are—

Gavit (United States, No. 125, p. 1441), Root (UnitedStates, No. 42, p. 1435), Whitehurst (United States ,No. 525, p. 1467), and Hogg (United States ), all of whomhave exhibited daguerreotypes, but not distinguishedby any striking degree of excellence. Langenheim (United States , No. 62, p. 1437) has exhibited two largeTalbotypes, one of which is a panoramic view of Phila-delphia . executed in compartments, but wanting unity ofeffect. This artist, also, exhibits a series of subjects onglass, designated by him under the name of hyalotypes,being delicate miniatures, excellently adapted for magic-lantliorn subjects. The material would appear to be col-lodion, albumen, or some similar preparation, forming afilm on the glass, capable of receiving the impression.A daguerreotype view of Cincinnati , by Fontyne andPorter (United States , No. 550, p. 1468), is more suc-cessful. This is also taken in separate compartments: itis clear and good in colour, and forms an effective pic-ture. Harrison (United States, No. 223, p. 1450) hasalso some daguerreotypes of a very superior description.

In turning our attention to France , we find severaldaguerreotypes, which, in contradistinction to those ofAmerica , are characterized by large masses of light, in