Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-28

ments by the Engraver. New York
The Century Company.
This is easily the notable art book of
the year and a work of enduring value
The text by Mr.. Coffin is an interesting
story of the work of the great masters
of Spanish art, and the engraver's own
notes are a feature of unique value.
The method which Mr.. Cole follows In
these reproductions will interest their ad-
mirers. A photograph is first taken OF
the picture, on which the engraver makes
all the corrections needed for the trans
lation of the values of colors into white
and black This is then copied on the
wood block in the following manner:
The surface of the block is prepared OF
an intense black, and on this is laid
sensitive collodion film, such as was
used for the once popular ambrotype' or
later ''tntype," on which the photograph
is copied in the camera, so that positive
image is produced. reversed in position
but correct in light and dark. AS
the cutting progresses the collodlon MIN
is removed by India rubber, leaving the
black shadows and gradations of tints In
clear black lines as they Will be printed
The incised lines being then filled in
with finely powdered chalk, the black
becomes its own proof and the erect as
The actual engraving of this block after
receiving the Photographic image, except
as to unimportant parts which may
equally well be executed from a photo
graph. is done directly from the originals
All the great line engravingS which have
been made from the old masters have
been done from black and white draw
ingS-or, at best, in later times, from
photographs, no reproduction by engrav-
ing directly from the original pictures
hppn before
undertaking of Mr. Cole. Etching directly
from the originals has lately been done,
and for landscape work is all that can
be desired; but in my Judgment wood
cutting affords for delicately modelled
forms and subtitle rendering of human
expression greater refinement than is
possible in etching, combining the clean
line of copper or steel plate engraving
with great range of texture-rendertng
as etching allows. and the rapidity and
equality of impression which wood en-
craving alone permits. and which are
necessary to wide dissemination.
1t was the Chicago fire that made
Timothy Cole a wood engraver-today at
the head of living wood-engravers. In
his younger days the lads devotion was
divided between his violin and his
graver's tools; and the elder Cole, an
Englishman of more than ordinary intel
lsence and culture, left his son to work
out his own salvation. The Chicago fire,
with its other havoc, made ashes of the
gifted youths precious violin: and the
weight of these ashes turned the scale in
favor of wood-engraving.
THE QUEST OF THE COLONIAL. By
Robert and Elizabeth Shackleton. IL
Illustrated with many photographs
and with decorations by Harry Fem.
New York: The Century Company.
This is a book to appeal especially to
lovers of old furniture. but it is also a
work to stir and hod the interest of
those who have never fallen under the
spell of the charming and stately furni-
ture of the past. The two who write this
unusual book inherited a kettle, and
IoyGLka pair of candlt sticks, and were
given a\enaker chair; and with this be-
ginning (\heJ entered upon enthusiastic
pursuit ofNhe mahogany and the walnut,
1.-THE brass md the @hina of the olden
time. The JAory of What they found and
their Experiences ip the finding, of the
quaint o%o-houses which, as circumstances
pkrmitted, they made home. and of the
hone making. is all told with rare charm
But. in addition, the book is rich in re-
liable infoEuatfon concerning colonial
furniture -Qf<every kind-'the term CO.
lonisf is attached to all of the furniture
of the carly times and the early shapes
-andk Yin helpful hints for the guidance
of others' buying and taste
These enthusiastic hunters have cover
ed ana give valuable information of the
fertile territory of the country auction,
New York and vicinity, Philadelphia and
its environs. In Virginia and Delaware,
Massachusetts, and Connecticut, the east
ern shore of Maryland and other fields of
treasure troye, Their experience in buy
ing apparent wrecks and in repairing and
polishing at home is also helpfully told
for the ininitiated: and the scores of IL
Illustrations. from photographs. are a help
ful and delightful feature of unique
and altogether delightful book.
REMBRANDT; a Study of his Life and
Work. BY G. Baldwin Brown, pro-
fessor of fine art in the University
of Edinburgh. New York: Charles
Scribners Sons. Washington: Wood
ward & Lothrop.
a thoroughly satisfactory analysis of
the work of the great Dutch master is
to be welcomed and the work of Prof,
Brown may surely lay claim to the well
come. The method OF development of
his theme is a clear and logical one.
He first defines Rembrandts position as
an artist. then takes up the formative
influences in his life, the significant fea-
lures Of his career with their effect upon
his art, ana passes TO the consideration
OF the characteristics of his art The
author is entirely frank ahd UMPIRE iudiced
in his estimate Of the masters qualities
both as a man and as an artist. The ac-
ton and inter-aCtion between tempera-
ment and achievement are clearly ind-
Gated. The book is illustrated copiously
with reproductions CT the artists most
important work. These illustrations are
made still more valuable by Prot Wood 5
criticism. This book WI aid much in
making more comprehensive one of the
most contradictory personalities the art
world has known.
THE SALON; Study of French Society
and Personalities in the Eighteenth
Century. BY Helen Clerguc. Illus
trated New York: G. z. Putnam s
Sons. Washington: Woodward &
Lothrop.
The history of the four fascinating
women-Mme. Du Deffand. Nine Geoffrin.
Nine. d'Epinay and Julie de Lespinasse-
who are celebrated in t.iis volume, Is,
practically. the social and intellectual his
tory of Eighteenth Century France.
Statesmen, philosophers. poets alike were
subject TO their sway. 1t is safe to say
that there was not an idea or a principle
which led up TO formative influences of
the French revolution which was not
modified or strengthened by the influence
of one of thsse feminine leaders The
life of the salon represents vanished
code of thought and action, but no history
of the eighteenth century is comprehen-
sible without an analysis of its peculiar
potency. Whatever may be the final
verdict on the moral and religious stand
arts of this epoch. there can be no crit
prehensive intelligence under which the
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