Oldal 14 [14]
VI PREFACE
sionally admitted as explanatory notes. The author
will be satisfied if the perusal of his remarks on a
topic which for some little time has afforded him
food for thought and consideration, will give plea¬
sure or profit to the practical artist and receive the
approbation of those better qualified than himself
to judge of the truth of his conclusions. He is fully
conscious of the incompleteness of his treatment of a
subject which even his limited opportunities for ob¬
servation have shown to offer a far larger and more
attractive study and to involve many more interesting
points than might at first sight appear.
Many readers no doubt will remember that Ruskin
has devoted three chapters of the first volume of
‘“ Modern Painters” to the “ Truth of Water,” and
has enriched them with a wealth of illustration from
the works of famous artists, both ancient and modern.
The present writers own pursuit of the subject,
though followed along a somewhat different line, has
yet only served to increase his admiration of the
great teachers marvellous insight and power of ob¬
servation. |
The author's best thanks are due to Mr. H. W.O.
Hagreen, of Wellington College, Professor Threlfall,
Dr. Aitken and others for their kind and suggestive
criticisms. He isindebted for some of the photographs
reproduced in this volume to Captain F. A. Bligh
and Messrs. G. R. Ballance, F. Newington, H. P.
Robinson, A. Spuhler, F. M. Sutcliffe and C. E.