Hampton Court ... Illustrated with forty-three drawings by Herbert ...

GEORGIAN AGE 199
sea-fights, William III. some glorifications of himself.
The Hanoverian additions are of a different kind.
Severe critics might say that the Hampton Court galleries
have been regarded as the rubbish-heap of the
royal palaces. But this would be a short-sighted judgment.
Much that is of very considerable historical
interest has been added to the galleries within the last
century. There are, in the first place, a few interesting
portraits which have no special English connection.
Two of these cannot fail to attract attention.
No. 429 _£ a charming replica of Drouais' portrait
of Madame de Pompadour, now in the possession of
Lord Rosebery. This has been very unfairly criticised.
Artificial and mincing no doubt it is, but so was its
subject. The colour is exquisitely pure, the tone exquisite;
an undefinable charm lingers on the face, so
sweet, so prettily set in its quiet mobcap. The dress
of figured brocade, the tambour frame in front, add to
the decorative effect of a very charming picture.
Another equally interesting portrait is that by
Battoni of the reforming Pope Benedict XIV.,a happy
presentment of a keen and kindly face. It is pleasant
to have at Hampton Court so good a memorial of so
enlightened and beneficent a man. There are many
other portraits of foreign statesmen and kings, among
them a pretty Louis XIV. when young, in armour,
ascribed to Mignard.
English royalties, of course, claim attention. There
is a not unpleasing portrait of Queen Caroline, George
II.'s " fat Venus." George himself appears in four