THE DUTCHMEN
In Dutch art the name of Rembrandt usually leads all the rest, and here in the London gallery are many examples put down to him. The early “Portrait of an Old Lady,” herewith reproduced, is perhaps the most satisfactory of all, not only because of its wonderful rendering of an aged face, but because of the great humanity shown in it. The tremulous line of the lips and chin, the flabby cheeks of old age, the eyes that seem filled with tears, all suggest a life that has known sorrow. That appealed to Rembrandt very strongly. He was always sympathetic with the suffering because, perhaps, he had suffered himself. No painter could put more feeling or meaning into a face, a hand, an arm, a bent form than he. He was the great genius of Netherland art. Hals was a mere tavern-roysterer with a gift for painting, compared with him. The National Gallery, however, has no first-rate example of Hals, though several mediocre canvases are attributed to him. Nor is Steen, or Vermeer of Delft, or De Hooch seen here at his best. By Terborch there is a “Guitar Lesson” showing a young woman in white and yellow satin that is attractive, and a beautifully drawn “Portrait of a Gentleman.” Cuyp (kipe) is shown, in many examples, and better than in any other European gallery. This is also true of the sea-painter Jan van de Cappelle. There is a whole wall devoted to examples by Ruisdael, (rise´-dale) and among the many Hobbemas is one at least of commanding interest—“The Avenue, Middelharnis.” It is slate-grey in color, but its linear perspective and atmosphere have made it very popular.
THE GRACES DECORATING A FIGURE OF HYMEN
By Sir Joshua Reynolds
MARRIAGE A LA MODE
By William Hogarth