2 DECEMBER 1899, Page 37

Vandyck. By H. ICnackfuss. (Grevel and Co.' 4s.)—This is a

very interesting study of the work of Vandyck, full of sound critical judgment, and the number and excellence of the illustra- tions leave nothing to be desired. The author tells • us that Vandyck while at the height of his fame as a portrait-painter was always longing to be employed as a decorative artist. He tried to persuade Charles I. to let him design tapestries to cover the banqueting hall at Whitehall, the ceiling of which had been painted by Rubens. The King seems to have been frightened by the expense, which was fortunate, because Vandyck was much better employed when painting portraits than when he descended into florid decoration.