The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-12-24
UNcIvIL SERVICE.
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

History of Painting. From the German of
the late DR.. Alfred Woltmann, professor at
the Imperial University, Strasburg, and DR..
Karl Woermann, professor Royal Academy
of Arts, Dusseldorf. Vol ii. The Painting
of the Renaissance. Translated by Clara
Bell. (New York: Dodd, Mead & Co; Port
land: Loring, Short & Harmony The two
volumes of this work on the History of
Painting include its earlier and middle peri
DDS, delineating the early growth and subse-
quent maturity Of the Art as developed in
medieval and modern Europe The second
volume, therefore, relates to the more inter-
esting of the two periods, inasmuch as in its
profuse and finely executed Illustrations it
presents us with copies of the greatest works
of the golden age of painting in Italy, Ger
many and the Netherlands. Here are ample
accounts of the lives and masterpieces of
Leonardo da Vinci, Michael Angelo, Raphael
(and Marc Antonio his engraver, Correg-
gio, Filippo Lippi, Perugino, Titan and
Giorgione, besides numerous artists of the
second rank; also full description of the
Schools of Siena Ferrera, Bologna, Padua,
Perugia, Rome, Florence and other cities.
From Germany we have the Schools of Co
logne, the Westphalian, Franconian, Sua-
bian, Bavarian and Rhenish with interest
ing sketches of Holbein, Albert Du-
rer, Cranach and many lesser lights of paint
ing. OF the Flemish School we have Van
Dyely, Der Weyden, Boots, Gherard David,
Massys, Bosch, besides inferior artists. Adj
mrable Illustrations of each of the above
artists is notable feature of the work.
The history of each School is given at
length, and the lives of the masters are
written CON amore Throughout the volume
there is happy blending of the narrative
style with genial criticisms, which will be of
essential assistance to the appreciative read
er. There are apparent, however, certain
inequalities arising, in part, from the differ
ent degrees of thoroughness with which the
originals were studied, and in part from the
/ decease of DIR. Woltmann, the protector of
the work His plan was taken up by his
friend, DR.. Karl Woermann, by whom it was
successfully carried out. Happily, there was
no fundamental difference either in their
views of art or historical methods
Though called a general history Of paint
ing it none the less embodies the results of
careful, critical, and minute study of indi-
fiOildl CAdlIlplto III dll lDC SCilOOlo, ltdildus
German and Flemish. In other words, this
is not a secondhand production, made up of
other men 5 studies and reflections. That is
a cheap method of displaying borrowed
plnmes, and is easily detected. This is an
original work, bearing the indubitable marks
of original and conscientious study of the
great painters of the most glorious ages and
schools. In comparing the opinions of the
writer's with the criticisms Of other connois-
seurs, absolute agreement cannot be expect
ed. One must be prepared to encounter di-
verse and even opposite sentiments, since
our judgments in these as in other things,
are partly subjective. Let it suffice that
there is essential agreement as to the rela-
tive rank of the great painters, and the gen.
eral merits, as well as Characteristic features
of the leading Schools.
Above all, there is harmony respecting the
nature and value of Art as addressing itself
to the higher faculties of the human soul and
as minstering to the qualification of tastes
which do honor to human nature. Art is of
no particular country or sect. 1t appeals to
the cultivated classes for whom it has spe-
cial attractions, while its influence on ALL is
as beyond doubt as it is above estimate
What Coleridge has eloquently said of par
ticular branch of art we may repeat as APP
plicable to all genuine productions OF it in
whatever departments they are elassed.
They are the blossoms and fragrance of all
human knowledge, human thoughts, pas
sions, emotionssand language" All these
they set forth and illustrate in aspects most
truthful, sublime and beautiful, submitting,
as Lord Bacon says, ''the shows of things to
the desires of the mind" We take great
pleasure in commenting this work as the
book of the year for all who wish to make
Christmas present Of great and permanent
value.
We ought to add, that though called a
second volume, 1t is really Independent of
the first, and may well be owned and read
separately if one does not care to buy the
fret