New-York tribune., 1903-11-22

eoe What she IS driving at Italian art abounds
IN uortrafts OF children that in everything that
means expression are most exQuisitely childlike
But this is. after all. one OF the books pub
lished chiefly FOR the sake Of its Illustrations
and as a gallery OF paintings we ca-1ot praise
Il in terms TOO friendly. The many full-page
mates are taken from examples that are invari-
ably worth knowing. Mrs. Meynel as writer
on Italian art leaves much to be desired; one
yyouId give a page even Of MoreIan pedantry
for all her .saccharine preciosity. -But as a col
loc+cr OF Illustrations she calls for no adverse
criticism whatever Her photographs have been
reuroduced in the best possible half tones and in
superb ph0togravures, all fun page plates and as
a Christmas gift book this passes into the front
rank
Asa rirt book for lovers II Italian art which
has also durable qualities. may commend
Holm DENIES translation of NJ. Klaczko's Rome
and the Renaissance" This thoroughgoing
study embodies portrait Of Julius III, with SUD-
sidiary but hardly less elaborate sketches OF
Michael Angelo and Raphael and 'gnettes OF
men like Bramante. The author has learned the
lesson TOO seldom taken to heart by the writer
dealing with the Renaissance. He understands
that in handling an epoch so crowded win ar
fists and artistic events, ii is Indispensable 10
make haste slowly, to cover comparatively little
ground. but 10 cover lildl Win NealC- ~ oO---
ing himself to the Papacy Of Julius IL and to
narrow group OF artists. he has succeeded in CIV
ing unity and lucidity 10 his book. BY concen-
tration too he has made his work more human
lv interesting He shows US Julius the man
as Wen as Julius the Pope, and lie gives his
portraits OF Michael Angelo and Raphael the
same vitality. The faw in this volume is TO be
found in the long chapter entitled In the
Camera Della Segnatura," which Is made up of
a suppostitious conversation. 1t lets the book
down from a plane Of serious historical research
20 one OF doubtless amusing but somehow not
very. convincing, talk The work as whole has
originality and critical interest The illustra-
tions. copiousIy scattered through its pages. are
excellent half tones from famous paintings and
statues, with few buildings included.
MI OkeyIs Venice" contains comparatively
few pages on the painters, sculptOrs and archi-
tocts of the city but its wealth Of Illustrations
gives this work much OF the character OF an
art book 1t overflows with capital sketches OF
buildings, scenes and types. some Of them in
color. some Of them in line with a tinted back
ground some OF them in pure black and white,
and az Of them fun of the beauty and pictur-
esqueness Of Venice. There are also reproduc-
tious IN han tones Of paintings by the Venetian
masters. Mr.. Okey Is admirable historian.
We appreciate especially his 1udicious exercise
Uf the art OF omission. Venetian history Is con-
gested with facts. Mr.. Okey selects those which
are OF Importance in conveying a broad and clear
impression. and gives us narrative uncom-
monty readable. He is enthusiastic, of course,
but he does not allow his feeling for romance to
control him, even though he Is writing OF the
most romantic OF all the cities OF Europe. Thus,
while be does not underestimate the power Of the
Ten. and its Committee. but admits that the
tribunals committed some crimes and made more
errors D. protests that they were a popular
body. They were bulwark against treach-
cry" he says: they protected the people from
the insolenCe and arbtrariness Of mobiles; they
maintained equality and were stern censors Of
morals. Their best defence is the fact that they
endured 10 the fan Of the republic" He adds
this striking passage upon phase Of his sub
Jet which has again and again been handled
with inaccuracy:
Much undeserved obloquy has been cast upon
The Ten even by historians OF repute, ~heh
treating of the famous prisons under their
charge. the s0-called PoZZi and Piombi CWelis
and leads. LUrid pictures have been drawn OF
victims tortured IN cells hot as furnaces under
the leads, ana in dungeons beneath the canal
whore neither light warmth ever penetrated,
ana where the prisoner saw the instruments OF
ms torture on the wall before him. But IN truth
the Pozzi We're as little underground as the
cucal palace had been furnished with prisons
from Its construction by Angelo PartclpaZlo
afd its restoration 10y Seb Ziani until the new
PRISON over the Bridge Of Sighs, and beyond
The RIO del Palazzo. was completed in lOoO
Except the DOrTeselle Curisons in the towers,
rf NH y IL. Ia. arrf4T-