“Mr. Couture was not only an artist, but the sharpest literary critic of his day. It is safe to say that no volume of the size contains so much of value for the artist-student as this handsome little volume, so admirably translated by Mr. Stewart.”—Chicago Inter-Ocean.
“A most readable and entertaining work.”—Commonwealth.
“Couture talks with charming freedom on all subjects—on the critic, on woman, on the recent school of art, on the great old masters, on the divine art. It is all delightful.”—Hartford Courant.
“The simple way in which the book is written gives a pleasure to its perusal, which the translation has well succeeded in preserving.”—Art Interchange.
“The work is thoroughly fascinating, and will be warmly welcomed and eagerly read by all.”—Boston Transcript.
“The book itself is of rare value. The faithful, spirited translation is in such good English that it might be taken for an original work.”—Newport Daily News.
“It is amusing to the general reader, and it is of great practical value to the art student. M. Couture’s manner is conversational and familiar, so that when, as he often must, he deals with the technicalities of his subject, he is never dry or obscure.”—Worcester Spy.
“Very curious and suggestive are Couture’s ideas about the old masters and the modern French painters. The great point in all his book is to impress on artists that they should dare, above all things, to be themselves.”—New York Times.
“A volume so characteristic, so entirely stamped with the individuality of the writer, that those who know him recognize his peculiar expressions, his eccentricities of manner, and almost seem to see his familiar gestures through its pages. * * * It should be in the hands of every student, and many besides artists will find a charm and a pleasure in reading it. It will take an important place in art literature.”—Catholic World.
“We heartily recommend the book to all who are seeking to cultivate their artistic perceptions, whether as practical artists or connoisseurs.”—Christian Union.