Studio: international art (41.1907)

Reviews and Notices

essential in naval architecture, led to an un-
expected check in the brilliant career of the master
designer, who found himself without congenial
employment just when everything had seemed
most promising. He withdrew to Marseilles only
to meet with a similar experience there, and though
he continued to work in other directions until his
death, in 1694, his memory was soon forgotten
outside the actual scene of his activity. It was
reserved to the present Curator of the Muse"e des
Beaux-Arts at Marseilles to restore to him his true
place in the history of decorative art, and to give
the public an opportunity of judging for themselves
of the beautiful designs that are preserved in that
Institution. To the fine reproductions of more
than fifty typical drawings, displaying in a remark-
able degree Puget's fertile imagination and skill of
draughtsmanship, he has added an exhaustive cata-
logue raisonn'e of all the works of Puget that have
been preserved, including paintings, sculptures,
and designs for carving.

The Outskirts of the Great City. By Mrs. A. G.
Bell. With coloured illustrations by Arthur G.
Bell. (London : Methuen). 6s. net.—Gifted
with a fluent and engaging style of writing, Mrs.
Bell, in this latest book from her pen, conducts
her readers on a tour of the places situated on the
fringe of London, recalling the historic associations
in which they abound and noting the changes they
have undergone down to the present time when these
once isolated hamlets and townships have become
practically merged in the great metropolis. So
great have these changes been that one is apt to
forget that many of these places whose vicissitudes
Mrs. Bell describes in her entertaining narrative,
have their individual histories dating back centuries.
With the pictorial accompaniment provided by Mr.
Bell, whose excellent and well-chosen illustrations
in colour are supplemented by photographic views,
the book should not fail to stimulate interest in
these time-honoured spots.

Scenes in the Life of Our Lord. Drawn by
Harold Copping. Described by Handley C. G.
Moule, D.D., Bishop of Durham. (London:
Religious Tract Society.) \Gs. net.—The outcome
of many months' work in the Holy Land, the
water-colour drawings reproduced in this volume
well fulfil the aim of the artist, which was to
depict Gospel incidents in the actual environ-
ment in which they took place. They are strictly
realistic, leaving nothing to the imagination, and
they make little or no attempt to suggest the
spiritual teaching of our Lord ; but they are
full of human interest, and will serve admirably

336

to arouse the attention of the young, for whom
they are evidently primarily intended. Their
draughtsmanship and colouring are good, and
their composition natural and effective. The
Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes, the Little Child
set in the Midst, Lazarus, come forth 1 and Geth-
semane are especially noteworthy, telling their story
with simple directness and comparing favourably
with other modern interpretations of the same
themes, even with those of M. Tissot in his well-
known " Life of Christ." The accompanying notes
from the eloquent pen of the Bishop of Durham
form an excellent supplement to Mr. Copping's
illustrations, and the work will no doubt be
welcome in many a home, though its high price
will probably prevent its use in schools.

The Old Engravers of England. By Malcolm C.
Salaman. (London: Cassell& Co.) $s.—This book
deals with the engravers of England in their rela-
tion to contemporary life and art. The letterpress
is accompanied by forty-eight illustrations—admir-
ably selected from the point of view of suitability to
the technical remarks on engraving. The attempt
has been made, and made successfully, to trace
the art of copper-plate engraving through the most
interesting period of its history; but the author
tells us he has had no thought for those print-
collectors with whom considerations of " state " are
more urgent than the appeal of pictorial beauty or
human interest. Upon this point we tender the
author our congratulations, though we should not
be able to do this had the technical side of Mr.
Salaman's book suffered from superficial treatment
of the subject. For, after all, in dealing with en-
gravings, what is really of value is evident know-
ledge of the subject and ability to impart some
of the pleasures of this branch of knowledge to
others. Even if the would-be collector intends to
be actuated by the absorbing historical interest
attached to engravings, he must seek that human
interest at the point where it finds its most worthy
and beautiful representation, and be able to dis-
tinguish between the excellences of certain states
and the absence of beautiful quality in. others.
This ability is most often an instinct which enables
its happy possessor to find interest in the dry side
of the knowledge, which is the backbone of any
true appreciation. The ideal collector is he who
has this instinct, supported by knowledge, but
who has also felt the fascination of looking in at
all the side-doors upon history which old prints
open. Mr. Salaman is such an ideal collector,
and so proves himself a true guide for the novice
and a companion of the already wise—meeting the