New-York tribune., 1903-01-04

dust upon them They remained not simply un-
sold, but absolutely neglected Apparently the
name of this painter suggested nothing to the
casual purchaser; the latter had not even beer
tempted by curiosity to turn the pages of one
of the volumes. 1t is difficult to understand
Walker had genius. He could conceive a fine
idea and give it adequate expression His pict
ures full of sentiment, but that sentiment
is never too sweet, it is never feeble. Though
he had an intense feeling for humanity, he wa
ever artist ever a devotee of beauty. HaC
he possessed a broader style it is not improb-
able that he would be more popular to-day; bu,
with all his limitations-and there is no doub;
that he fell short of being a great creative mas
ter-he is an original and a charming figure in
the history of British painting. If Walkers ar
down" now they cannot long remain so. A re
vival of iniere in his work must succeed
sooner later to the present Indifference The
painter of The Harbor of Refuge and of the
"Bathers,' the designer of that beautiful illus
tration to Thackeray Philip in Church., surely
had in him something of the quality of perma-
nence. Miss Blacks brief monograph, judicious
in criticism, and sympathetic in the treatmen.
OF an uncommonly winning personality, is JIs;
, the book to give the needed flip to public in
terest.
The book in the Miniature Series of Painters
devoted by Helen Zmmern to Sir Laurence
Alma Tadema is written in vein of breathles
admira ton, and is valuable only for the bio
graphical facts it contains and the list Of tn
painters more important pictures and portraits
given at the end. Mr.. Malcolm Bells mono
graph in the same series on the late Sir Ed
ward Burne-Jones, is likewise q shade too eulo-
gistic but al least it reflects a more intelE
| gent appreciation OF the things that go to max"
a work of art While the author takes a NOR
favorable view of his subject than seems legiti-
mate saying, among other strange things, tina
Burne-Jones possessed an infalHbe sense
beauty Of form and COLOR" whereas his color &:
morbid muddy and often positively ugly, he ha-
the grace to admit that this celebrated romant!
cist was not great painter in the true sens
of the word We wish ne had had the courage.
after this, to refrain from the absurdity of say
ing that among great artists he takes his place
undisputed in the very front rank
Pictures of Romance and Wonder is col
lection of photographs and nalf-tones Of paint
ings and drawings by Burne-Jones. plcasan,
introduction is provided by Mr. FitzRoy Car
rington. and quotations of poetry and prose
| from divers authors serve as text But tn
| pictures hold, so to say the centre of the stage
| THE Golden Stairs" appears as frontispiece
| other we'll known paintings, like The BeguIiInC
| of Merlin" The Star of Bethlehem, Spons-
| di Libano' and Love Among the Ruins ar
| also reproduced, and there are a number O.
lesser known examples All are charming, fo-
| it was ever the fortune Of the art Of Burne-
Jones to leave an infinitely better impression IL
| black and white reproductions than in its orig
| inal colors. In the present volume the plates
are ample in scale and excellent in quality
While a few of the photographs are little duI
| in tone most of them delicate and clear
| One that of 'Sponsa di Libano," is really ex-
ouisite reproduction of a beautiful design. Thl-
is most artistic and interesting souvenir Of tn
| noted English painter.
! The snecial winter number of The Inter
national Studio is this year devoted TO Coroi
! u ,.:11.+ ,ua farrrS one Of the hest publica: