Page:The Strand Magazine (Volume 4).djvu/130

 "Hay-wain." The canvas—for which this was the first sketch—was sent to Paris, gaining a gold medal, and at the same time causing an immense sensation in the French capital. Landscape painting at that period was not understood; heavy historical subjects were in fashion, and it was considered a daring thing for an artist to paint nature in its simplicity, as seen in the green meadows and fields. Sir Frederick expressed the opinion that the simple little canvas of the "Haywain" revolutionised the French school of painting.

Passing again into the hall, one notices a stuffed peacock which figured in one of the great artist's pictures. The beautiful colouring of the feathers of this bird led Sir Frederick to give it a prominent place in the most noticeable part of his house.

On the stairs leading to the studio many rare works of art are met with. Here hangs a copy of Michael Angelo's "Creation of Adam," while near it is an unfinished canvas by Sir Joshua Reynolds; though unfinished, it is, in reality, a very valuable possession, as it is a silent witness to the fact that Sir Joshua never outlined his figures with a pencil, but used the brush from the beginning. The picture represents Lord Rockingham with Burke, his secretary, and the face of the latter is barely suggested.

At the top of the staircase is a delightful little antechamber. Walking to the end of this you may look through a screen made of wood brought from Cairo and see the fountain playing down below. This spot also affords a closer view of the exquisite workmanship which has been put into the