3-008-439 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

"Game and Fruit" by W. Duffield, in the Gallery of the British Institution, 1862. Engraving of a painting. 'This picture gives evidence of increasing inventive power, as well as technic skill...This group of various members of the feathered tribes, with fruits, pomegranates, grapes, &c., and a curious old jug, is put together with great freedom and ease, yet in extremely picturesque arrangement. The textural treatment of the several objects is admirably discriminated, even to the difference between the loose and ruffled plumage of the moorcock and other game hanging up against the wall and the soft down of the duck. Like a true artist, moreover, Mr. Duffield, not satisfied with a close imitation of externals, aims at representing the substance as well as the surface of every object in its normal character. His duck is temptingly plump; his grapes and pears pulpy and almost fragrant; his ancient jug shows a roundness and capacity which speak of many a joyous libation which it has served in its time...In short, his touch, in every part, is solid and thoroughly genuine; and thus, without the slightest undue gloss or striving after effect, he realises truthfulness in the most satisfactory and legitimate sense of the word'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.