International studio (36.1908/1909(1909))

DEAWING IN
BLACK CHALK
adds an admirable book on Rembrandt to the series
of art studies imported by the Scribners. He sep-
arates the biographical, historicai and criticai aspects
of his subject in the present methodicai fashion of
the monographist, and in the critical portion deais
with the drawings, etched work and paintings sep-
arateiy. Especiaiiy for purposes of reference or for
systematizing one's acquaintance with the known
and inferred facts of the painter's career, this book
is to be highiy commended.
A. M. CALDWELL & Co. have added to their littie
series, "The Great Art Gaiieries," an attractive
pocket book of reproductions from the Glasgow
Gaiiery, with Whistler's portrait of Cariyie as front-
ispiece. Esther Singieton brings out through A. C.
McCiurg & Co., in the Standard Gaileries Series, a
careful resume of the treasures of Hoiiand, a com-
pact book convenient for reference by titled para-
graphs and carrying forty-six illustrations. The
same house has begun a delightful series of smaii
treatises edited by Cyril Davenport, with the gen-
erai titie, "Littie Books on Art." Jeweiry, Book
Plates, Enamels and Miniatures are the subjects of
the voiumes ready. Iiiustrations, some in coiors,wiii
be found adequate to their purpose in aii. Freder-
ick Lawton has written a shorter sketch from his
biography of Rodin and the iater essay appears as
an attractive littie voiume, with two dozen iliustra-
tions from the press of Mitcheil Kenneriey. A bio-
graphical sketch of Cari Wimar, the painter of fron-

tier iife, by Wiiiiam Romaine
Hodges, is published with iiius-
trations by Charles Reymer-
shoifer, Gaiveston.
F RANK F ORREST F REDERICK
issues from the Manuai Arts
Press a smaii brochure on the
wash methodof handlingwater
color. This reprint and revis-
ion of an article which recently
appeared in the T rain-
fwg Lfog'azfwe will be found
suggestive by drawing teachers
and others.
ONE of the most delightful
of this season's books is " The
Life of James McNeill Whist-
FROM "REMBRANDT" ler," by Elizabeth Robins and
BY G. B. BROWN JosephPenneH. Thepublish-
ers, J. B. Lippincott Com-
pany, have brought the two vol-
umes out in a form that behts so fastidious a sub-
ject, the bookmaking and presswork being of the
best. The illustrations with which the volumes are
plentifully supplied are excellently done and in
themselves offer an interesting biographical record.
The text has the dclat, without in the least need-
ing it, of an already more or less well-aired condict
between the biographers and the executrix, a difh-
culty which has resulted in excluding from the book
letters written by Whistler. They would, no doubt,
have added to the charm of the work, and it seems a
pity that his authorized biographers were not al-
lowed to make use of them. It is doubtful, how-
ever, that the unwarned reader would realize any
such lack on following the narrative.
Any[full account of Whistler is likely to be inter-
esting and even entertaining. The Pennells appear
to have maintained a balance both of judgment and
taste that fully justihes the artist's choice and desig-
nation of them. Mr. and Mrs. Boswell are always
in sympathy with the subject, but they keep their
heads and will by no means be rushed into the too
customary absurdities by their admiration, which
possibly goes to show that even for writing a life two
heads are better. On the other hand, at times they
have an outspoken way of reciting the sayings and
doings of persons whose eyes will probably fall upon
the pages which almost recalls the unflinching truth-
fulness of Whistler himself, but which does, to be
sure, add a smack of verisimilitude to the picture of
his entourage.

LIX