"The period of French art covered in this book is. . . extraordinarily diverse. . . This volume provides an ideal introduction to the paintings of this rich and complex period, and will be useful both as a guide in the Gallery and, given the excellence of the plates, as a work of reference away from it. In either case, Michael Wilson's lucid and stimulating commentary on the paintings will greatly help the reader in coming to know them." -- Page 9, 10.