THE DEVERIA FAMILY. AMONG the most distinguished members of the modern (or as it has been called, in contradistinction to the school of David, the romantique) school of Painting in France, are the two brothers, Achille and Eugene Deveria. No lover of art should visit Paris without endeavouring to procure an introduction to the soirées of this family; for at their house he may have an opportunity of becoming acquainted, in a single evening, with all the most distinguished members of the new schools of literature and painting, in that city. It is, however, during the Carnival that the Deverias are to be visited with the greatest advantage. For on these occasions the company make their appearance in the costumes of various countries and eras, selected with the most minute attention to correctness; and thus form a series of tableaux vivans, of the most interesting character. The drawing from which the accompanying print has been engraved, was executed for a series of French water-colour paintings, in the possession of the Editor, and represents Achille Deveria, his wife, brother, and sister, in the costumes worn by them at their last masquerade. The figures in the foreground are those of M. Achille and his lady. They are followed by M. Eugene and his sister. To the pencil of this gentleman, France is indebted for one of the finest pictures modern times has produced, "La Nais sance d' Henri Quatre," in the gallery of the Luxembourg; as well as for several other large historical pictures of a very high character. His chef d'œuvre is said to have been painted when he was only twenty-one years of age; and was purchased by the French government, for the very insufficient price of four thousand francs. His elder brother, Achille, the designer of the accompanying group, is said to have produced nearly six thousand drawings; the greater part of which have been engraved. His house, which is situated in one of the most delightful quartiers of Paris, is decorated with a degree of taste worthy of his genius. His library contains no less than three hundred quarto volumes of prints, drawings, and tracings of costume, referring to all ages and countries, and to all ranks, from the prince to the peasant. |