GERMAN SCHOOL. oooo000000 WILHELM. oooo000000 MUNICH GALLERY.

DIE

SAINT ANTHONY,

SAINT CORNEILLE AND SAINT MAGDALEN.

The italian masters contemporaries of Raphael are those to whom a preference is usually given, for in their pictures the finest examples of composition are to be found, and especially the greatest perfection of drawing. The pictures of the flemish school are particularly interesting for the truth of their colouring; those of the dutch school present remarkable instances of the strength of their clair-obscur. Another class of paintings rather rare in France deserves to be well known; and the king of Bavaria, already rich in such paintings, has bought besides, of M. Boissere, a choice collection of pictures belonging to the ancient german school.

The simplicity of the composition, the natural air of the figures, and the fine finish of the details, are the leading characteristics to be found in the pictures of this school, and although they should not be given as examples to be followed, many useful lessons may be drawn from them.

The object of Wilhelm in this picture seems to be, that of bringing together three holy persons who have made themselves remarkable for their ardent love of Jesus-Christ. Saint Magdalen, of whom we have spoken at no 19, who accompanied our Saviour in his travels; saint Anthony, who sold all his possessions and retired into a solitude that God only might occupy his thoughts; and saint Cornelius, who suffered martyrdom in 252.