JOHN C. VAN DYKE, L.H.D.
Professor of the History of Art in Rutgers College, and Author of “Principles of Art,” “Art for Art’s Sake,” etc.
With Frontispiece and 110 Illustrations in the text, reproduced in half-tone from the most celebrated paintings. Crown 8vo, 307 pages, $1.50.
“... The initial volume of a promising series ... seems a model of pith, lucidity, and practical convenience; and that it is sound and accurate the author’s name is a sufficient guarantee. Essential historical and biographical facts, together with brief critical estimates and characterizations of leading schools and painters, are given in a few well-chosen words; and for students who wish to pursue the subject in detail, a list of selected authorities at the head of each chapter points the way. Serviceable lists are also provided of principal extant works, together with the places where they are to be found. The text is liberally sprinkled with illustrations in half-tone.”—Dial, Chicago.
“Prof. Van Dyke has performed his task with great thoroughness and good success.... He seems to us singularly happy in his characterization of various artists, and amazingly just in proportion. We have hardly found an instance in which the relative importance accorded a given artist seemed to us manifestly wrong, and hardly one in which the special characteristics of a style were not adequately presented.”
—Nation, N.Y.
“... Gives a good general view of the subject, avoiding as a rule all elaborate theories and disputed points, and aiming to distinguish the various historical schools from one another by their differences of subject and technique ... we do not know of anybody who has, on the whole, accomplished the task with as much success as has Mr. Van Dyke. The book is modern in spirit and thoroughly up-to-date in point of information.”—Art Amateur.
“Professor Van Dyke has made a radical departure in one respect, in purposely omitting the biographical details with which text-books on art are usually encumbered, and substituting short critical estimates of artists and of their rank among the painters of their time. This feature of the work is highly to be commended, as it affords means for comparative study that cannot fail to be beneficial.... Altogether Professor Van Dyke’s text-book is worthy of general adoption, and as a volume of ready reference for the family library it will have a distinct usefulness. It is compact, comprehensive, and admirably arranged.”—Beacon, Boston.