On the whole he possessed to an unusual degree the power to thrill and to delight. His pictures are melodious, charming, graceful. His grouping is delightful and expressive of the highest genius; his draperies are simply and slightly painted; while the modelling of the features is full of consummate dexterity.
He attached great importance to the painting of fingers and hands, and gave much expression to them. His faces are quiet, and have often a look of the deepest pathos about them, a look which even approaches to melancholy; but, on the other hand, the sprightliness of youthful joy was well expressed by him, and if in a phrase his qualities are to be summed up, they may be so by the words "grace, melody, sunshine and sweetness."
OUR ILLUSTRATIONS
From the National Gallery we have selected two: a portrait of Mrs. Mark Currie and the portrait called The Parson's Daughter.
Mrs. Mark Currie represents a life-size, nearly full-length figure. The lady is dressed in a simple white muslin dress with short sleeves, and an elaborate fichu of the same material. Round her waist is a silk sash of pale red, and the ribbons which trim her sleeves and fichu are of the same pale tint. Her fair hair, slightly powdered, falls in full clusters around her shapely shoulders.
Her face wears a quiet thoughtful expression, with a lurking look of humour about the eyes. The background is slightly suggested landscape and trees.
The lady was a Miss Elizabeth Close, who married Mr. Mark Currie, a goldsmith and banker, in January, 1789, and gave her first sitting for the portrait on the 7th of May of the same year.
