The present book, then, is a history of woman's garden in the art of painting, and its three hundred pictures show what she has grown in her garden during the last four centuries and a half. The Editor has tried to free his mind of every bias, so that this book, within the limits of 332 pages, might be as varied as the subject. The choice of pictures has not been easy, and a few disappointments have attended the many communications with the owners of copyrights; but only two invited artists have declined to contribute. It is not often that so much willing and generous help has come to an Editor from so many countries; and it is with gratitude that I acknowledge the assistance received from the contributors of to-day. Seven pictures are reproduced in colour-facsimile, thanks to the courtesy of the following artists and collectors: Mrs. Allingham, Miss Ann Macbeth, Mr. James Orrock, R.I., Mr. W A. Cadbury, Mr. Charles Cheston, Mr. Klackner, and Mr. Charles Dowdeswell.
The Dedication Page, the Initials Letters, the End Papers, are all designs by Miss Ethel Larcombe, while the [Title Page] and the [Cover] are the work of Mr. David Veazey. The [silhouettes] by Mlle. Nelly Bodenheim, used as tail-pieces, are published by permission of S. L. van Looÿ, Amsterdam.
This volume being the first illustrated history of the Women Painters of the World, Her Majesty Queen Alexandra has honoured it by graciously accepting the Dedication; and in this encouraging act is revealed the untiring interest and solicitude with which Her Majesty has ever followed the progress of women's work.
THE EDITOR.
SILHOUETTE BY NELLY BODENHEIM, HOLLAND.
School of British Water-Colour, Contemporary
