New-York tribune., 1905-11-10

Mr.. Hills volume is of greater importance, IN
asmuch it treats OF a man whose history has
not hitherto been fully accessible in English.
Moreover, Pisanello is an individuality peculiar
Iy worth knowing Though he falls below the
emfnence of many of his countrymen he has a
quality of his own which viii always make HIM
of special interest to the connoisseur. Both
as painter and as medalist he has the charm OF
style the SAVIOR of genius which may not have
been of the first rank, but which was at least
original, and, in its way. thing of power. Take
for example, his lovely portrait of Ginevra
D'Este in the Louvre, or his drawing of MIC
colo Piccinino in the Recueil Eailardi, of the
same museum In these infmta5le works you
not only have realistic portraiture of high
order but a distinction in the draughtsmanship
which alone would have stamped Pisanello as
a master.
Mr. Hill rightly pauses upon the question Of
what he owed to classic inspiration. Admitting
that so far as actual "reminiscences or repre-
ductions OF motifs concerned, his com
pleted works yield trace of the antique he
still goes to ask, is it not possible that
from the study of the coins in such a cabinet
as belonged 20 the Este family at Ferrara. he
might have learned some of that extraordinary
conciseness and concentrate combined with
monumental laTgeness of style which is char
acteristic of his medals?" 1t is more than pos
sible it is highly probable. But Pisanello will
sl,yays he q source of fascination to the stu
dent not so much for the classical elements In
his work as FOR the note of individuality which
marks his every production. 1t is singular
note subtle. delicate, and. for certain fineness
comparable only to that of some such rare type
as Bottfcelli He could paint the lovely portrait
of Ginevra which have mentioned, and he
could show in drawings, paintings and medals
a capacity in the delineation of animals un-
known in his time, and. so far as mere
delicaCy goes unequalled in any other Durer
is the only old master to be mentioned in the
same breath with him on this score. Mr. Hill
is in love with his subject. and has made his
hook at once little treasure house of needed
information and a beguiling challenge to all
those who unacquanted with Pisanello'
We are glad to note that he has found room
for a terse sketch of Matteo de Pasti. and the
ether rnedalists of the great northern school.
Miss Esther Sngleton's compilations. present.
ing with pictures the things that have been said
about famous works Of art by authors often
themselves famous have never been more IN
teresting than is her latest volume, Great Por-
traits as Seen and Described by Great Writer'S
Dodd Mead & Coz. 1t is true that some OIL
her writers are not great at ALL but nearly
every one of her portraits is a masterpiece, and,
first and last her quotations about them make
capital reading She draws upon all schools
Her frontispiece is from that glorious example
of Halls in the Wallace collection, The Laughing
Cavalier" and in the long procession OF repro
ductions which follows we have works like
Velasquez's Don Bathazar, Sir Joshua's nelly
O'Brien' Rossettis 'Beata Beatrix and lngres s
"Bertin the EIdec." More interesting than any
of the descriptions for the light that 1t sheds
on the way in which a great portrait is some
times evolved. is the note which NJ. Larroumet
cites from Count Henri Delaborde on the superb
suecimen of Ingres in the Louvre, one of the
few things in modern art which are worthy OF
almost any of the greatest Of the old masters;
The portrait of NJ Bertin the final result of
many attempts and various conceptions by ingres
on several canvases and in several attitudes before
it assumed this aspect OF IPpHst nna time
even there was great danger that the painter; e1i
dissatisfied with the oonstTainsd poses SO b LAT hg bs
by his model and even more dlscontenLea WIN LIS NE
own efforts, might throw up altose1Iner "oI1 nId
promise An unexpected incident occurred and
saved the situation ingres t9d M helseI u, .iII 10 a.
nened raT ei 10 be one evening in NJ Bertins salon.
There was discussion political affairs between
whilst the latter warmly upheld their opinion. M
Bertin listened with the air and attitude OF man man
IN of the words he has already uttered or In the
approaching eloquence of his reply Nothing could
| be more natural expressive. nor anything more
he represented than this appearance of force
| mat is sure of itself well of a slightly i'm
Hons of the portrait discovered. Therefore
| ingres greatly delighted at his unexpected con
| ouest fastened to take advantage OF 1t, ano, on
liking leave of NJ. Bertin. addressed him as fol-
lows: Your portrait Is done ms Is taIf ff On the
morrow, the master to work and soon sue
eeeded IN opa {erpeTament and real habits had
! been thus fortuitously revealed to him.
! Mr. Joh, r McCutcheon is a member Of the