Charles Henry Caffin was an Anglo-American writer and art critic who viewed art as an integral part of life, not an elite indulgence. His writings, aimed at popularization, stimulated broad public interest in various fields of art. Caffin was also a significant, though equivocal, advocate for modern art in America. He vigorously championed art education in American elementary and secondary schools.
In this tour de force of art criticism, Charles Henry Caffin explores the evolution of painting from the Rococo period to the early modern era. Drawing on his extensive knowledge of art history and aesthetics, Caffin offers readers a series of insightful comparisons between masterworks from different periods and regions.