The Norman Archipelago by John Brett ARA (1831-1902). Oil on canvas. Engraved by T. S. Bayley. Source: Magazine of Art 11 (1888) 213. Image capture and formatting by George P. Landow. You may use this image without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the Internet Archive and the University of Tornto and (2) link your document to this URL in a web document or cite the Victorian Web in a print one.it
[An] English landscape-painter, whose individuality is not to be ignored, is Mr. John Brett. His "Norman Archipelago," showing a line of low detached islands running diagonally across a blue-grey sea over which hang summer cumuli, shows how accurately he studies local detail, aud yet, from his wide knowledge of atmospheric effect, is able to give these details something like the quality of breadth. The artist is fast losing the merely topographical manner, for which Mr. John Ruskin had so much to say that was laudatory somewhere about a quarter of a century ago. Both artist and critic, we should imagine, have modified their philosophy very considerably since then, and especially their ideas as to the practice of art. The picture is one of the many wise purchases made by the Committee of Management. Both taste and judgment have been their guides in every instance.
Bibliography
Forbes-Robertson, John. “The City Art Gallery of Manchester — II.” Magazine of Art 11 (November 1887-October 1888): 211-16. Internet Archive version of a copy in the University of Toronto Library. Web. 10 September 2013.
Last modified 10 September 2013