Vandyck's Pictures at Windsor Castle. Historically and critically described by
Ernest Law. (F. Hanfstaengl.)—This folio is splendidly illustrated with photogravures executed with special care. Mr. Law gives the history of each picture as well as an account of the person represented. The volume is an excellent piece of work ; letterpress, pictures, and printing are all of high merit. From an artistic point of view, Vandyck is not a painter who gains by being seen in quantities. The conventions are too obvious, the gentlemanly mise-en-scene too apparent. There is an air of "com- pany manners" about these people, and a resemblance to one another which makes one wonder if the pictures were good por- trait& But, in suite of all this, how stately these people are notwithstanding a certain look of their being effete creatures, living in an unreal world of lace and satin, quite unable to stand against the flowing tide which swept away despotism. In the Introduction to the present work the author tells us that he has in contemplation other books dealing with the Royal collections, one to be devoted to Manteg-na's "Triumph of CLesar " at Hampton Court. It is to be hoped that if public attention is called to these magnificent works something may be done to make them visible. They are at present hung in so absurd a manner that by no possibility can any one of the series be seen entire. These pictures, which are glazed, are hung in a narrow gallery facing windows. To leave these monumental works where they are is nothing short of showing contempt for great art.
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