Note 264 — COPIES FROM THE OLD MASTERS

Among works of illustration produced of late years, "the publications of the Arundel Society," says Ruskin, "hold the first rank in purpose and principle, having been from the beginning conducted by a council of gentlemen in the purest endeavour for public utility, and absolutely without taint of self-interest, or encumbrance of operation by personal or national jealousy. Failing often, as could not but be the case when their task was one of supreme difficulty, and before unattempted, they have yet on the whole been successful in producing the most instructive and historically valuable series of engravings that have ever been put within reach of the public.... I learned more from the Arundel copy than in the chapel itself; for the daily companionship with the engraving taught me subtleties in the composition which had escaped me in the multitudinous interest of visits to the actual fresco" (Stones of Venice, Travellers' edition, ii, 176; and Ariadne Florentina, Appendix, p. 246).