THE present universal interest in the subject of historic art and the indications that very soon it will hold equal importance our school curriculums with those of general history and literature, are sufficient excuse for the making of a new book which treats of the world's painters and paintings. It is hoped that the volume will be of especial usefulness to young students of the subject, to whom it has been carefully adapted, as well as to the general reader. In it reference will be found to painters of greatest note in the history of art, a careful analysis of the characteristics of their work, and abundant and well-arranged information concerning their most noted pictures, " All in accordance with the decisions of the latest and most authoritative criticism. This latter feature will be found of unusual service to those who are preparing to visit the picture galleries of the Old World ." The significance of colors as used by the old masters and the emblems by which saints and other sacred personages, when found in an old picture, may be readily recognized, as well as the pronouncing vocabulary of artists' names, are useful features of the book. It also contains a list of pictures which have grown familiar to the public through reproduction, together with names of their painters and the places where they are to be found.