A CATALOGUE OF THE NATIONAL LOAN C OLLE CTION.*
THOSE who enjoyed the wonderful Exhibition at the Grafton Gallery will be glad to have a permanent illustrated remem- brance of it. The photogravure reproductions of the principal pictures are excellent, and it is only by means of such a work as this that it is possible to obtain records of many of the pictures forming part of private collections. The Catalogue itself is a thoroughly well-executed piece of work compiled by Mr. Herbert Cook and Mr. Maurice W. Brockwell. It is a model of what a catalogue of this kind should be, contrasting strongly with the uninteresting and perfunctory work we are accustomed to at the winter Exhibitions of the Academy. Here not only is the attribution of the owner of the picture given, but also a short account of the various critical theories as to its authorship. Take the case of the portrait of Cardinal Carondelet belonging to the Duke of Grafton, ascribed to Raphael. How great would have been the bewilderment of many people had the Catalogue not given the reasons of recent critics for considering this the work of Sebastian del Piombo. The picture is obviously Raphaelesque, but had Raphael painted it there would be reason for the disparagements of the master by some modern critics. In an admirable preface by Sir Charles Holroyd these critics are dealt with in regard to the two Panshanger Raphaels. He says :—" When a good critic talks to me of what is now called the ' Umbrian Fallacy,' I always think to myself it is time he went to Rome again." In this preface it is also pointed out how important it is for the National Gallery to have at its disposal a sufficient sum, so that the possessor of a masterpiece may feel that to offer it to the nation will not entail the publicity of a great campaign of begging. Towards the provision of such a fund the late Exhibition has contributed.
• A Catalogue of the National Loan Exhibition. London: W. Heinemann. Ns. net.]
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