Valabrègue, Lafond, Giron, Guiffrey, and Reymond, recognized authorities
upon the artists whose works they describe; and I have selected
Fromentin's valuable essay on "The Night Watch," feeling sure that this
thoughtful criticism would interest even the enthusiastic admirers of
this enigmatical work.

I have been careful to take no unnecessary liberties with the text. In
the translations from Gruyer, Goethe, Fromentin, and others, which were
unfortunately too long to be included entire, I have not allowed myself
to condense, but only to cut. This is true, also, of the English
extracts.

E.S.

NEW YORK, _September_, 1899.




Contents


THE FISHERMAN PRESENTING THE RING
TO THE DOGE GRADENIGO _Bordone_ 1
THÉOPHILE GAUTIER.

THE BIRTH OF VENUS _Botticelli_ 5
WALTER PATER.

THE QUEEN OF SHEBA _Veronese_ 16