ow, are
two supreme names in Venetian painting, were among their pupils. The
Bellini paintings are the natural precursors of the glory of Venetian
art. Even in these historical paintings by Gentile Bellini we feel the
palpitating sunshine which floods and vivifies the rich colors of
palaces and costumes. You can readily see the difference between his
work and that of Carpaccio. While Carpaccio has treated the historic
scene in a poetic way, with quaint formality, Bellini's picture is full
of truth and detail.

"But," he continued, "Gentile Bellini's work, as art, fades in
importance before that of his brother, Giovanni, who gave himself almost
wholly to religious painting. If you will try to shut your eyes for a
few minutes to the other pictures about you, I would like to take you
immediately to one of this artist's Madonna pictures.

"And, by the way," he interpolated, as they walked straight on through
several rooms, "I am delighted to see that you have learned to go into a
gallery for the express study of a few pictures, and can refuse to allow
your attention to be distracted by any others, however alluring. I am
sure this is the only way in which really to study. Go as often or as
seldom as you choose or can, but always go with a definite purpose, and
do not be distracted by the effort to see the works of many artists at a
single visit; least of all, by the endeavor to look at all there are
about you. For him who does this, I predict an inevitable and incurable
art-dyspepsia. The reason of my express caution now is that I am taking
you into the most attractive room of the gallery, and wish you to see
nothing but one picture.

"Here it is!" and they paused before a large altar-piece. "You at once
feel the unique character of the Madonna; the stateliness of the
composition, the exquisite harmony and strength of the color.--What is
it, Betty?"

"I was only whispering to Barbara that these lovely angels, with musical
instruments, who are sitting on the steps of the throne are those that
we have seen so often in Boston art-shops."

"And they are indeed lovely!" replied Mr. Sumner. "I will allow you to
look at another picture in this room which I had forgotten as we came
hither--for it is by Carpaccio--turn, and look! this _Presentation in
the Temple_! See those musical angels also, sitting on the steps of the
Madonna's throne! I am sure the middle one is familiar to you all, for
it is continually reproduced, and a