New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-02
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
ART BOOKS.


"A HISTORY OF ART BY W. H. Goodyear Pp 49,
Illustrated New.York A. S. Barnes CO., ieso,
MANUAL OF DECORATIVE CoMPoSlIlON. 20.
Henri Mayeux, translated by j. Gonlno lnu Hue US'eo
PIP $40. New.YorR, ID. Appleton q Co., 1890
Mr.. Goodyear's predatory defence OF inc conso-
puence Of art history VIII strike most readers
nc superfnous but the importance which he properly
assigns to applied art is not usual WIN general
historians OF 1t is ne longer denied tna tne ue'
ton and instruction OF artistic taste are attos Oh
practical and economical Importance eut this hpOry
does not 20 beyond architecture sculpture and painting
Considerable atten given TO historic styles I'D
modern architecture and subject which needs popular
exp,anatien especially at time when genuine
interest In architecture may be held 10 be Slowly
awakening The three general subjects which arc
treated occupy about equal amounts OF space hach
chapter Is introduced by few references TO coecuons
and simple explanations and the text is arranged 10
brief paragraphs, each impartng information usually
easy Of comprehension. 1t is always easy 10 take OK
captions TO explanations and conclusions IN an attempt
70 cover so much ground but Mr. Goodyears recapit'
lations seem to be usually trustworthy. The imphc&
ton that old masters" should be judged from stand
point aegsther different from that which applies to
nineteenth century pictures is probably considerably
moro sweeping than the author Intended
This history will naturally be compared with the
new edition Of DAnver's Elementary History OF
Art which certainly does not lack comprehensiveness
but we arc not acquainted with any American his
tory of art which renders Mr.. Goodyears volume
supernuous. Whether or not It is Of advantage to
present 80 much TO the young student at one time,
to place before him abridged encyclopedia, usually
uninterestng sass record of facts, is matter
which professional teachers possibly best deter
mine. Mr.. Goodyear is not inspiring In his manner
of summa rizing his theme but his book Is that OF
an intelligent and conscientious student Much
stress is laid upon the numerous photographs IL
Illustrations by the Soue Company, OF Boston, ID
deed, we find the specific aim" OF the BOOK aenheo
as the presentation Of " such an amount and choloe
Of illustration as have never been previously at
tempted In similar works" The idea is good The
entire history Of art may be studied from good
photographs, and their direct educational use snoulo
he universal But before Mr. Goodyear bumptiousiy
condemned the engravings in all histories Oh ART
as unsatisfactory, be should have made sure OF
Photographic plates for winch IL Touiu 10 uiio
sary to apologize
N. Henri Msyoax IS entirely competent 70 WI"
upon the harassing subject Of Decorative ComPo-
sittons even though his professional brethren may
dissent from some OF his conclusions and ADVICE
His aim is modest and purely pracucal'-tne prep%
ration of manual which should serve as guiue "
Industrial artists, designers scolptors' ana ueoora
tors including young architects.' Inc hrst nan Vi
the manual deals with decorative art composition,
the theory decoration and Of ornament, ana
characterization applied to form. The second part
presents a study OF materials Of all kinds IN reiauon
to their proper 1t Is refreshing 10 nno traces VI
the old Eastlake insistance upon sincerity re-
sembance interesting French writer, although, OF
course, wholly unntentional But NJ. Mayeux Is no
diIettante enthusiast "Jugs, hagons and ewcrs
should be provided with handles which Will not hurt
Che hand that grasps them and months THAI VIII
pour out we'll In what terms shall we stlgmatlze
those uncomfortable chairs and armchairs exhibit
ing backs with such deep carving as to bruise tho
unfortunate person rash enough to loan against them
Or the Jewels necklaces bracelets and earrings with
nyultitudnous points, catching everywhere tearing
everything and last not least hurting the wearerf'
This is good aesthetic doctrine and good common
sense. and II is pity that the artificial separation
between the two is SO commonly insisted upon.