305. AT THE OPERA. (W. P. Frith, R.A.)

There is great cleverness and successful realization, up to a certain point, in this picture, the work being very thoroughly done, as far as the painter sees what is to be done, and all very skilfully handled, down to the utmost seam of the white kid gloves. It is not a kind of painting which will ever bring great fame, or deserve it ; but it is better than spurious "High Art."

[William Powell Frith (1819) began to exhibit at the Academy in 1840; was elected A.R. A. in 1844; and in 1852, R. A. His early pictures were of subjects from English literature. In 1854 he made his first great success, in subjects of modern life, with "Ramsgate Sands." For other references to Mr. Frith, see pp. 63, 161, 279, and Ariadne Florentina, 140.]