"This Narrative, which exhibits the traces of the utmost diligence and the
most scrupulous regard to accuracy, is interspersed with critical views, so
philosophical, so eloquent, and so just, as to convince us of the thorough
competence of the Abbe Lanzi for the task which he has undertaken. The
extent of his general erudition appears abundantly throughout his work. To
vast and varied acquirements, he united uncommon powers of intellect,
together with an enthusiastic love for the beauties of the Art, to the
study of which he devoted himself from an early period of life;--with what
success, is attested by the favourable reception of his labours.
Completeness and impartiality as to its details, are not the only merits of
this work. To the connoisseur it will form a guide to facilitate his
acquaintance with the peculiar styles, and their varieties, of the great
masters; a species of knowledge which it is difficult to convey, although
of the greatest importance to possess. Nor is the utility of this work to
be overlooked, in disseminating amongst all classes a just taste for, and
sound opinions upon, the Arts. To pretend that, in the foregoing notice, we
have furnished anything like an indication of the multitude of interesting
details contained in these volumes, would be as offensive to truth, as it
would be unjust to the author of as singular a monument of labour and
diligence as modern literature can boast of. Neither do we attempt to
insinuate that we have been able to suggest any adequate notions of the
admirable tact and skill shewn in his arrangement, in which, without
excluding any topics necessary to the purposes of his history, the Abbe
Lanzi disposes of every personage and event in the rank that is due to
their relative importance. And if we have been deficient in these respects,
we feel that we have still more failed in giving a proper idea of the
accurate and discriminating mind of the critic, or of the perfectly
judicial impartiality of his opinions; and when we compare our imperfect
analysis of his work with our own impressions of the author, we are
sensible how little we have been able to transfer to our pages any portion
of those lineaments of taste, graceful propriety, and eloquence of
language, or of that spirit of regulated enthusiasm, which are diffused
through the 'History of Painting in Italy.' With respect to the merits of
the translator, the most obvious one is that of having given to British
literature a work of the very highest value, at no inconsiderable sacrifice
of time and trouble. His version, in general, has all the force and
precision of style which belong to the original."