OUR ILLUSTRATIONS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2545, 24 December 1902, Page 12 (Supplement)

OUR ILLUSTRATIONS.

1. " Convent of San Lorenzo, Florence." — A reminiscence •of the artist's early student days in Italy. The white walls of the convent standing clearly in the strong light, with its group of waiting pensioners clustered about the door, giving life and reality to the scene, and carrying our thoughts i>ack to medieval days, when the monasteries were the centres •of every charitable organisation, the only spot where the poor and suffering could go for aid. The hour when such ■doles were due has been seized by our artist, and the tale ■of suffering is well told in the attitudes and expression of the different units in the expectant crowd. In the foreground a group of peasants recline in the grateful shade, and appear 1o be doing nothing with that happy intensity so characteristic of the country of the " dolce far niente."

, 2. " The Young Naturalist." — An elder sister lifts her infant charge to, admire a butterfly resting on the brown centre of a giant sunflower. Here we have some admirable painting in the delineation of the flowers and foliage, as well

as in the pose of the figures of the girl and child, and the wrapt interest on their faces. The colour scheme is excellent, and the black and white effect almost equally good.

3. " Pardinnick Point, Land's End, Cornwall." — An English beauty spot, the delineation of whicH at once appeals to every beholder. Wild, broken bluffs, torn and worn by the great Atlantic rollers, still face the gale with unbroken front, though their feet are hidden in the crumbling debris of ages. The wild sea birds circle round their summits, and the ocean, like a caged, untamed lion, is at their base, waiting its time — a day, a week, a month hence, to spring upon them and renew the uever-ending contest. This picture is one of the best examples of Mr Gifford's art, and will repay careful study. 4. " View of Florence, Italy." — A charming glimpse of the famous city of the Medici, bathed in bright sunshine, with the Arno, spanned by many bridges, flowing through the centre. The high dome of the cathedral, and the spires of many churches, pierce the fine mist that lightly veils the details of the city ; and in the foreground we have a corner of the famous cemetery — two mourners and a gravedigger resting from his toil. As is ever the case, the figures add a touch of human interest to the whole, which our artist knows well how to utilise.

A quaint custom in connection with the Twelfth Cake formerly existed. The family and their friends being assembled, a bean was put into the cake, which was then divided by lot. Whoever got the piece containing the bean was called " King of the Bean," and was master of the revels during the day.