New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-02-23
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
ROSSETTI.

DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI Record and Study.
BY WILLIAM SHARP. 16mo, PIP. viii, 432. Mac
milan d Co.
The character of Mr.. Sharp's interesting volume
is we'll expressed by its title. 1t isneither memoir
nor is IT precisely critical erssy, but it is liter
ally record of the work Of a very remarkable
painter and poet, and attempt by a somewhat
summary and general commentary to estimate the
place of that work in modern art and literature.
1t IS serious and careful but not too ambitious
book which aims at useful object, and achieves
it. Mr.. Sharp had the advantage of kossettrs
personal friendship, and was one OF the few init
mates of his last years. He has something to tell us,
therefore, of the unpublished opinions and theories
of his hero and Is abo at times TO throw light upon
obscure things which have perplexed critics He
has laid out his work in clear and systematic man
ner. The first chapter embraces brief sketch OF
Rossettps life, not moro ample than notices which
have already appeared in print but sufficient as an
introduction to the "study." The second chapter
is devoted to an exposition of "the Preraphaelite
Iaea." and An analytical account of that famous
periodical The Germ, in which the doctrines of the
brotherhood were first given TO the world. The
rest of tho book Is occupied with exhaustive
survey Of Rossetti's productions, first in art and
next in letters THESE chapters part critical,
bat in the main they descriptive, and so far Mt
least as the art portion is concerned the description
is wonderfully vivid and complete. 1t is almost
unnecessary to say that Mr.. Sharp Is an ardent adj
mirer and disciple of tho master to whose fame he
consecrates this laboriOus memorial. He reveres
ROssetti as one OF the central figures Of our age
q man whuse far-reaching personal influence 1t Ia
not easy to measure, whose poetic work has added
new richness to noblest literature, and whose
dev otOn to and pursuit OF high ideal in art has
resulted in paintings whose splendor end depth OF
AZ n
recalled past glory such the noblest of tho
Venetian school alone possessed Ia like degree"
Ana In another place he speaks of Rossetti as not
only /" one who was In the front rank OF the poets
Of his time, but also ono who by his magnetic
personality influenced younger mon Of genius In
two arts to an extent at present widely reocg-
nized, and to whom ia to be traced to mme-
date fount the widespread aesthetic movement
0usistence on beautiful In place of an ugly or
commonplace environment which has 90 affected
and changed social life. the principle of which
is still potent influence in tho formation Of great
school Of poetic art, and though to less degree,
still guides or affects our higher literature" trne
record indeed, Of Rossettis work could hardly be
prepared, the work itself could hardly be under
stood except by one who was in harmony with the
artists feeling and firm believer in his prin-
ciples II should be said In justice to Mr.. Sharp
that he ID not inseneibie OF cartaiD OF Roysettrs
SHORTCOMINGS, and that he sees how Tar the reaza-
ton of his conceptions was often inferior to his
ideals. But IL br has not made an absolute sur
render Of his critical judgment, he is nevertheless
most sympathetic and revereut interpreter.
His exposition of the Preraphaelite Idea" Is
less satisfactory than the later CHAPTERS but con-
siderIng the nature of the subject that should not
surprise US. The aesthetic movement of which
Rossetti Holman Hunt, ana their companions, were
the first representatives, was part Of great
tional awakening in art, philosophy and religion,
which led to defiance Of modern tradition and
conventionalIsm, and o iesolute recurrence 10
truth and to nature as tho criterion of truth. Pre-
raphaelitism, therefore, although 1t showed such
strong tendency toward che devotional and medj-
eval, WAS essentially sceptical revolt And yet
Henry Newman and the "Tracus for the Times"
The OXFORD Movement In religion produced the &C.
clesiastical revival, and that begot the study of
medieval art and Rossetti was the legitimate prod
uct of Pugin and tho Gothic revival. This gem
ealogy Is not easily reconciled with what tho au>
thor says q few pages later about tine sceptical
spirit Of Preraphseitism, but 1t will not be ques-
toned by those who are familiar with the carly
works OF the brotherhood. They took the name by
which they are known because they recognized Ia
the painters who preceded Raphael an absolute re-
lance ON nature not because they set false value
upon tho deneatlon of hard, literal. prosaic fact
The Quarterly Reriew in the course Of severe srti