-Current Literature
MINIATURES AND SILHOUETTES. By Max von Boehm, translated by E. K. Walker. 214 pp., 40 coloured plates and about 200 other illustrations. (J. M. Dent and Sons, Ltd. 10s. 6d. net)-This is a translation of a book which was published in German a few years ago. It can hardly be called a serious contribution to the study of miniature painting, for it attempts to cover in its small compass the history of the English, French, German, Austrian and other schools, besides discussing miniature technique, silhouettes, snuff-boxes, &c. Its pages are largely filled with illustrations; and much of what space remains is devoted to gossip about celebrated persons whose portraits were painted in miniature. The choice of English miniatures for illustration is not altogether fortunate ; for instance, two obvious copies are described as portraits of Henry VIII. and Anne of CleVes by Holbein, and a fine Jeremiah Meyer is reproduced (page 20) as a Cosway. On page 41 it is correctly stated that miniatures which have Cosway's name on the front should be regarded with-mistrust, yet one such is given on page 23. An oil portrait by. Holbem (Plate 1) is described on page 23 as in- tempera on paper, and there are sundry other questionable' statements. In only a few instances is it stated where the originals of the reproductions are. The book, however, is one which may well be enjoyed by a reader who wants an easy and superficial presentation of the subject. Perhaps the most useful chapter is that which treats of snuff-boxes, for a number of facts about their use have been assembled which would not, perhaps, be found readily elsewhere. The reproductions are on the whole good, and the translation seems to have been adequately performed.
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