4 DECEMBER 1926, Page 48

JOHN SELL COTMAN. By S. C. Kaines Smith. (British Artists

Series. Philip Allan. 5s.)—Only within recent years —perhaps since the wonderful exhibition at the Tate Gallery—has Cotman become widely known to the public. But he has always been an artists' artist, a source of inspiration that is not yet fully exploited. In this study of his life and work Mr. Kaines Smith rightly emphasizes the fact that Cotman was truly the father of water-colour painting. His whole technique, his faithful devotion to austere form and his subordination of all other interests to that of pure pattern, justifies that claim. Mr. Kaines Smith has written a masterly work on this superb genius of English art. It is a sad story of the prophet with a purpose in advance of his generation.