The Cathedrals and Churches of Northern Italy. By T. Francis
Bumpus. (T. Werner Laurie. 16s. net.)—The range of Mr. Bumpus's journeyings may be gathered from the mention of the furthest points which he reached. To the north, then, we have Trent; to the east, Venice and Ravenna, which also reptesent the furthest south ; while the extreme western point is Ttitin. Mr. Bumpus is an expert in this kind of iverk. He has the advantage of a large previous experience, in France and elsewhere. He is sympathetic, taking, it is evident, a keen delight in gorgeous ritual and ornamentation ; and he is sufficiently well read hi ecclesiastical history. He introduces his subject with art interesting and instructive essay on Italian church architecture. The Italian development of the art he regards with a limited admiration. "The Romanesque, and Early Pointed of Lom- bardy charmed me much, but I saw at once that her Com- plete Gothic of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, though possessing much beauty, was, per se, vastly inferior as an architectural style to the contemporary work of Fmnee and England." But from the earlier development of Italian art we have, in late years, learnt much. Some of our finest modern churches hate been suggested by Italian models. As to the present condition of Italian buildings, Mr. Bumpus remarks that, on the whole, the cathedrals are in a less satisfactory condition than the churches. They have had the misfortune to be more "restored." We cannot follow him into his detailed descriptions. These are always full of spirit and vigour. The illustrations contribute not a little to make them complete. A serviceable list of some of the most remarkable pictures and wall-paintings has been added. The list of painters who were ernplOyed in this way is imposing, and though the ecclesiastics of Italy's golden age of art were not alwaye enlightened or generous—witness the treat- ment of Correggio by the Chapter of Parma—the general result was splendid.
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