John Ruskin

61. The distinctions between schools of art which I have so often asked you to observe are, you must be aware, founded only on the excess of certain qualities in one group of painters over another, or the difference in their tendencies; and not in the absolute possession by one group, and absence in the rest, of any given skill.

(BORDONE)

THÉOPHILE GAUTIER

(GENTILE DA FABRIANO)

F.A. GRUYER

(MURILLO)

AIMÉ GIRON

(LEONARDO DA VINCI)

JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE

We will now turn to The Last Supper, which was painted on the wall of the refectory of St. Maria delle Gratie in Milan.

The place where this picture is painted must first be considered: for here the knowledge of this artist is focussed. Could anything more appropriate, or noble, be devised for a refectory than a parting meal which the whole world will reverence for ever?

(BOTTICELLI)

WALTER PATER

(HOLBEIN)

ANTONY VALABRÈGUE

(GIOTTO)

JOHN RUSKIN

(VAN DYCK)

JULES GUIFFREY