CONFESSIONS OF A KEEPER By D. S. MacColl
Though the title of Mr. D. S. MacColl's Confessions of a Keeper (Alexander Maclebose, 12s. 6d.) might mislead those, who like sensational fiction, the contents will assuredly interest serious students of art. Mr. MacColl, in this volume of re- printed papers, has little to say about his experiences at the Tate Gallery and the Wallace Collection, but is concerned mainly with great artists and fundamental problems of art. When he commenced art critic in the late Victorian era, and contributed to our columns, as we gladly remember, he was regarded as a' revolutionary, who showed a sad want of respect for the" Old Masters and the Royal" Academy. But this volume, contains a discriminating tribute to Rembrandt, and some spirited comments, in reply to Mr. Roger Fry, and Mr. Clive Bell, on the alleged beauties of Cezanne, whi8h should be read now that that very unequal painter has been represented at Burlington House. The long paper " Drawing, New and Old " goes to the root of the matter, and will comfort those of us who cannot, strive as we may, find any artistic charm in a child-like scrawl by Matisse. Anothey thoughtful essay attempts to answer the question, " What,ts Architectural Design ? ' and succeeds at least in showing how manifold and incalculable are the architect's diffieultiei., There are flashes of Mr. MacColl's ironic humour in sonie of, the lighter articles, but in the main the book is a serious and memorable contribution to our rather scanty English libra of art criticism.
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