DOI issue:
No. 334 (January 1921)
DOI article:Spanish paintings at Burlington House
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.21392#0021
SPANISH PAINTINGS AT BURLINGTON HOUSE
"A GIRL WITH A MIRROR "
BY JOSE RIBERA
(Sir Herbert Cook, Bart.)
more particularly because of the repre-
sentative character of the group, con-
taining as it does some of his best portraits
and one complex composition which ranks
among his most important efforts of this
character—The Glory of Philip IL, lent
by the King of Spain from the Escorial.
From his own days down to the present
time an extraordinary diversity of opinion
has existed among critics in regard to
El Greco's merits as a painter. A summary
of these opinions is given by Cossio in his
exhaustive study of the artist published
in 1908.* Noting with satisfaction that
*"E1 Greco," por Manuel B. Cossio, Madrid,
1908. In the second volume of this work nearly
200 paintings of El Greco are reproduced.
England has led the way in penetrating
the character of El Greco and the im-
portance of his work, he cites a passage
written by Sir J. C. Robinson in 1868,
which is well worth quoting here : a
" At all times and in all countries the works of
this master will appeal to the artist and true con-
noisseur with an imperative voice, while it is perhaps
equally certain they will always remain ' caviare
to the multitude.' In the dim twilight of Spanish
churches and convents there are still scores of
weird-looking canvasses of El Greco which the
uninitiated observer passes over with wonder and
bewilderment, the grim angular figures and draperies
and the flickering unrest of all the details affecting
him almost as would a harsh tumult of discordant
sounds. But to the possessor of real art appreciation,
a closer examination of even these unpromising
specimens reveals passages of admirable harmony
which he will dwell upon as on sweet music heard
5
"A GIRL WITH A MIRROR "
BY JOSE RIBERA
(Sir Herbert Cook, Bart.)
more particularly because of the repre-
sentative character of the group, con-
taining as it does some of his best portraits
and one complex composition which ranks
among his most important efforts of this
character—The Glory of Philip IL, lent
by the King of Spain from the Escorial.
From his own days down to the present
time an extraordinary diversity of opinion
has existed among critics in regard to
El Greco's merits as a painter. A summary
of these opinions is given by Cossio in his
exhaustive study of the artist published
in 1908.* Noting with satisfaction that
*"E1 Greco," por Manuel B. Cossio, Madrid,
1908. In the second volume of this work nearly
200 paintings of El Greco are reproduced.
England has led the way in penetrating
the character of El Greco and the im-
portance of his work, he cites a passage
written by Sir J. C. Robinson in 1868,
which is well worth quoting here : a
" At all times and in all countries the works of
this master will appeal to the artist and true con-
noisseur with an imperative voice, while it is perhaps
equally certain they will always remain ' caviare
to the multitude.' In the dim twilight of Spanish
churches and convents there are still scores of
weird-looking canvasses of El Greco which the
uninitiated observer passes over with wonder and
bewilderment, the grim angular figures and draperies
and the flickering unrest of all the details affecting
him almost as would a harsh tumult of discordant
sounds. But to the possessor of real art appreciation,
a closer examination of even these unpromising
specimens reveals passages of admirable harmony
which he will dwell upon as on sweet music heard
5