[Bibliographical Note.-This work owes its existence to the Arundel Society, which in the years 1853-1860 issued a series of thirty-eight large woodcuts, representing the majority of the frescoes in the Arena Chapel at Padua. These appeared gradually, and as they were completed, Ruskin’s “explanatory notice” of them was also gradually written, and published by the Society. Ultimately the work consisted of two volumes, viz. (1) a large atlas (21 inches x 16½) containing, with a title-page and list of subjects, the thirty-eight woodcuts, and (2) a thin volume containing Ruskin’s introduction and account of the frescoes, together with two plans of the chapel, and a woodcut of the Baptism of Christ from a thirteenth-century missal.

The Arundel Society also published a copper-plate engraving of one of the subjects (see p. 104 n.); and (in 1856) a chromo-lithograph from a drawing by Mrs. Higford Burr, entitled “A View of the Interior of the Arena Chapel, Padua, in 1306.”

The woodcuts of the frescoes were gradually issued, and were sold separately, the price to members being 2s. 6d., to strangers 3s. 6d. The price of the complete set was £4, 4s. to members, and £5, 5s. to nonmembers. The first fourteen are dated 1853; the next eight (15-23) 1854; after which Nos. 24-26 bore date 1855; Nos. 27-28, 1856; Nos. 29-30, 1857; Nos. 31-34, 1858; Nos. 35-36, 1859; and Nos. 37-38, 1860. The title-page was as shown on the second title-page here included.

The vignette is of a portion of the fresco of “The Last Judgment” (see below, p. 114, Plate XL.). Each plate was numbered at the top, and lettered with its titles and the words, “GIOTTO pinx ... W. O. Williams del ... Dalziel fratres fec.”

Of Ruskin’s explanatory text there have been several issues, as follows:-

First Edition (1853-1860).-The text was first issued in three separate parts, with continuous pagination. The title-page issued with Part I. is as shown here on the former of the preceding leaves.

Royal 8vo, pp. 124. Half-title with blank reverse, pp. 1-2; in the centre of the reverse is the imprint “London: | Printed by Levey, Robson, and Franklyn, | Great New Street and Fetter Lane.” Title-page with blank reverse, pp. 3-4. “Advertisement” (here p. 11) with blank reverse, pp. 5-6. Text, pp. 7-124. The headline is “Giotto and his Works in Padua” throughout on each page.

Issued in stiff buff-coloured paper wrappers, lettered on the front cover “Giotto | and his Works in Padua. | By John Ruskin. | Parts I., [II., and III.] | Printed for the Arundel Society.” Price (of the three parts) 10s. to members, 15s. to non-members.

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