INTRODUCTION.

Vll

expression of " Christ sitting at the right hand of hisFather." The dress and management of the Fool is inHolbein's best and apparently favourite style. The repre-sentation of the Almighty is grand, from its quiet dignity andcomposure ; but that of the Messiah is a failure : the figurebeing at once meagre and commonplace. In such subjectsmost artists fail: and it may be no very unpardonableheresy to pronounce, that, sometimes, we are not perfectlysatisfied with them in the designs of Michael Angelo andRaffaelle.

It only remains to observe, that the ensuing Cuts are asfaithful representations of the originals as can well nigh beconceived : that they are the united efforts of a Brotherand a Sister 9 engaged in the laborious profession of Wood-Cutters—with whose talents the Public have been a longtime gratified. It will be evident that the Publisher couldnot have been influenced by the hope of much gain ; aseven a very extensive sale, at a moderate price, couldhardly remunerate him for the expenses incurred. Such,however, as the volume is, in a country, and at a period(of the keenest competition in graphic publications ofevery description) like the present, it is offered alike to thenotice and patronage of the Public.

T. F. D.

* John and Mary Byfieli