18 FEBRUARY 1944, Page 22

• Leonardo da Vinci : The Artist. By Ludwig Goldscheidcr.

(Phaidon Press. 20S.)

THIS excellent book contains about 200 illustrations, including all Leonardo's genuine paintings, as well as numerous others ascribed to him, of which 150 are reproduced in photogravure and eighteen in colour ; in addition it prints as text the well-known biography of him by Vasari, a number of letters by Leonardo and his contempor- aries, together with numerous informative notes on the plates and documents by the editor. It is therefore an invaluable book for all students of this great artist who was one of the most versatile and remarkable figures of the Renaissance. The reproductions are of fine quality and their comprehensiveness and the fullness of the notes make it a handsome and scholarly volume that is cheap at the price.