29 APRIL 1949, Page 30

THIS little series of art volumes stands or falls by

the individual selection of plates. Of the standard of reproduction one can be sure that it will be adequate. And one never expects too much from the text, for the allotted 'space is too short, though one does sometimes wish that it were a little more factual. Pride of place among the four additions to the series goes to the Jongkind and the Dutch Painting. Both are intelligent compilations illustrated with works which are not too hackneyed. The 7ongkincl particularly fills a useful gap in the nineteenth-century library. The Spanish Painting is perhaps rather unbalanced and unenterprising, and concentrates too exclusively upon the six great names. The sculpture volume goes to the other extreme ; it is an anthology, divided between the heroes of the Salon, the established and the young rebels. Unfortunately each artist is allotted only a single plate, and one cannot help regretting that two of France's major sculptors—Matisse and Picasso—as well as Arp and Braque have been omitted.