Studio: international art (34.1905)

Reviews

The only drawbacks to a standard work of criticism
are the awkward arrangement of the text illustra-
tions that mars the harmony of many of the pages,
and the want of index that detracts greatly from
its value to the student.

History of Art. By Dr. Lubke. Edited by
Russell Sturgis. (London : Smith & Elder.)
2 vols. jfis. net.—These volumes contain, it is
true, a considerable amount of information in a
convenient form, but in view of the complete revo-
lution that has taken place alike in esthetic
criticism and in the art of reproduction during the
last half century, it seems scarcely worth while to
have endeavoured to bring up to date so outworn
a compilation as that of the German writer. The
text and its illustrations — many of which are
merely caricatures of the paintings and sculptures
they are supposed to represent, so entirely elimi-
nated is all character by the wearing away of the
blocks—are utterly inadequate to meet modern
requirements. The old illustrations are supple-
mented, however, by numerous full-page process
blocks, and original notes on them are given,
serving to a certain extent to bring the publication
into line with recently acquired knowledge ; but the
criticism of Mr. Sturgis is occasionally wanting in
force, and is expressed in far from idiomatic English.
The new edition is founded on the translation made
under the supervision of Edward Burlinghame and
Clarence Cooke in 1877; but the changes made
necessitated the re-setting of the text, so that there
was really no need to retain the old illustrations.
A chapter on Art in the Nineteenth Century has
also been added, but the same want of grip of
expression is conspicuous in it as in the notes.

The Hypnerotomachia Poliphili. From the edition
of 1499. (London : Methuen.) ^3 3s. net.—All
true bibliophiles will owe a debt of gratitude to the
enterprise that has brought within their reach this
remarkably fine facsimile of one of the most
beautiful and celebrated of Venetian illustrated
books, the title of which signifies " The Strife of
Love, as seen in a Dream by Polifilo." Issued in
1499 from the famous Aldine Press, and adorned
with woodcuts at the expense of the enlightened
Leonardo Crasso, it marks the high-water mark of
perfection, not only of Venetian printing, but of
the art of wood engraving in the lagoon city in the
fifteenth century, though it cannot be denied that
the designer of the illustrations was not altogether
in touch with the spirit of the text, many of the
drawings being quite irrelevant to it. From its
first appearance the costly volume has been eagerly
coveted by collectors, and a number of examples

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of it were bought by the famous French connoisseur,
Jean Grolier, and bound in calf under his direction.
A mere glance at the illustrations in this unique
volume is enough to reveal how much modern
designers owe to them, for many might be from
the hand of the best masters of the nineteenth
century. It seems strange that in spite of the
deep veneration in which the " Hypnerotomachia "
is held, and the frequency with which certain
details torn from their environment have been
utilised, that no previous attempt has been made
to reproduce it as a whole. The publishers—
who, by the way, in their prospectus give a very
complete history of the book, that might well be
issued as a pamphlet—are to be congratulated on
the successful termination of an enterprise that
reflects the greatest credit on all concerned.

Old English Furniture. By F. Fenn and
B. Wyllie. (London : George Newnes.) 7.5-. 6d.
net.—In spite of the competition of the many text-
books on the applied arts already in circulation,
there is little doubt that the new series just
inaugurated by Messrs. Newnes will be gladly
welcomed by the collector and connoisseur whose
means are not equal to their enthusiasm. Attrac-
tively got up, well printed, and copiously illustrated,
the books are yet published at a price so moderate as
to bring them within reach of all who are interested
in their fascinating subjects. The volume on Old
English furniture gives a great variety of examples
of genuine specimens, with, in every case, full
descriptions printed underneath ; whilst the accom-
panying text is full of valuable information and
pregnant hints to the inexperienced amateur.

Dutch Pottery and Porcelain. By W. Pitcairn
Knowles. (London : George Newnes.) js. 6d.
net.—The publishers of this delightful volume—
one of the new series on the applied arts—with
its many excellent illustrations, are to be congratu-
lated on having secured the services of so thorough
an expert as its author, who lived for many years
in Holland, and knew the byways as well as
the highways of its towns by heart. Long the
owner of a beautiful collection of Dutch pottery
and porcelain, now dispersed, the late Mr. Knowles
had the enthusiasm and knowledge of a true lover
of the beautiful and the rare; and it was evidently
con amore that he went over the ground long familiar
to him, recalling for the benefit of others his own
experiences. The illustrations are all very well re-
produced, and beneath each one a full description,
with sizes, etc., is given, a most useful feature,
making reference and identification easy.

The Pilgrim's Progress. By John Bunyan.