FINE ARTS.
THE ARUNDEL SOCIETY.
Two new prints have been published by the Arundel Society,—" St. Lawrence before the Emperor Decius," from one of Fra Angelico's fresco series in the Chapel of St. Nicholas; and Giotto's "Pieta," from the Chapel of Santa Maria dell'Arena at Padua ; both engraved by Mr. Schaffer. They are most satisfactory productions, equal at least, if not superior, to any previously issued by the Society. The first is a very fine example of Fra Angelico—of the holy grace which breathes in his figures and countenances. His elegance is an elegance of the soul—the most refined of all refinements : his works are pure, sweet, and orderly, life the shrine on a festival-day of the church. Giotto's work is greater—more powerful with a human power and intensity. Compared with the spirit of Angelico's works, it possesses the love and devotion of the believer as distinguished from those of the ecclesiastic,—the vital principle of faith, which survives, and alone survives, when symbol and formula, priest's chasuble and saint's nimbus, become obsolete. Mourn- fulness, utter pain and loss all but despairing, are expressed with wonder- ful depth of feeling: even the hovering angels seem to droop heavily towards earth, flitting to and fro in the unavailing sympathy of grief. We are not unconscious of the " archaism," but it is extraneous, and in the general result comparatively inappreciable. Of all the endless Pietas —Francis's, Caracci's, Volterra's—none seems much to the purpose after this. " Aneora ha Giotto it vanto."
The Society has also published a reduction of the " Mums," by Mr. Cheverton ; and, on the whole, is living an unpuffing but quietly earnest and valuable life.
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