_The Works of Antonio Canova. Engraved in outline by Henry
Moses. With a Biographical Memoir by Count Cicognara. (Chatto and Windus.)—Canova forms one of the historical landmarks in the history of sculpture. The art had fallen away even from the mere imitation of nature, which at least was a merit of the cinquecento period, and had become debased by refusing to recognise any art laws. The artist was exhibited, not art. Canova's genius perceived this error of his contem- poraries, and by close observation of nature and a careful study of the antique, brought tho art to a pitch of excellence it had never possessed since the days of Phidias. The fertility of this master's resources is amazing, and the manual labour expended on his works would have worn out many an ordinary workman. The outline engravings are finely executed, and in the majority of cases are successful in conveying the idea of the artist, yet we think nothing equals photography as a means of illustration for sculpture, and the art public would, we believe gladly hail a book containing his works copied by some photographic process. The life is ably written, although the writer has omitted to give the date of death. The descriptive notes are discriminating, and in the main exact ; too frequent a use, however, of adjectives of tho beautiful order gives them a rathei gushing character. We cannot con- gratulate the binder on the elegance of the exterior.
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