The Victorian Age

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32542, 27 February 1971, Page 10

The Victorian Age

Victorlan Taste. By John Steegman. Nelson. 326 pp. and Index.

Public opinion on the Victorian age has swung from contempt, ignorance and misunderstanding towards appreciative and knowledgeable understanding. The novelists, poets, artists, sculptors and architects of that age are not now dismissed abruptly as the Philistines they were judged to be in the first half of this century. John Steegman’s book, first published in 1950 under the title “Consort of Taste” contributed greatly to this change in attitude. It was a pioneering study of arts and architecture from 1830-1870 and its reappearance should confirm its place as a classic work in this field. John Steegman was bom in 1899 and died in 1966; he is probably best known for his book on Regency England, “The Rule of Taste" but his personal preference was for the Victorians and he has served them well in this book. He outlines the confusion on the fading of eighteenth century principles and shows clearly the gradual evolution of new attitudes to painting, criticism, collecting and architecture. His chapter on the preRaphaelites is a miniature gem of historical criticism. Most important of all, Mr Steegman introduces the reader to many littleknown people (most notably Sir Charles and Lady Eastlake) who were clearly key-figures in the formation of the taste in Fine Arts of the high Victorian period. Mr Steegman demonstrates too, the immense influence Prince Albert exerted in this field, as chairman of the Fine Arts Commission, as President of the Royal Academy and through the Great Exhibition of 1850. This is a fascinating and worthwhile book, written in an easy manner by one who loved the period and was not afraid of painstaking research.