Giovanni Antonio Bazzi. By R. H. Hobart Cast. (J. Murray.
21e.)—This book seeks not only to be a critical biography, but also to rehabilitate the reputation of the painter. Mr. Cast wishes to show that Vasari was unfair and prejudiced in his account of the artist's character, and believes that there is no ground for the charges brought against Bazzi. How far after
this lapse of time—Bazzi died in 1549—it is possible to arrive at a definite conclusion it is difficult to say. Mr. Cast takes a high view of the art of Bazzi, and perhaps is inclined to rank him
above his merit. Although a most interesting painter when at his best, and possessed of great powers of fascination, there is always something which prevents his works from being as effective as they ought to be. Too often the pictures seem to be collections of fragments imperfectly organised, and this, combined with a certain haste and insincerity of work, often spoils what otherwise might have been a success. Although possessing originality, Bazzi often reproduced the manner of other painters, Leonardo in particular, and his inequality of work was great. Even if Mr. Cast seems a little too enthusiastic about the subject of his book, his work is an interesting contribution to the literature of Renaissance art.
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