Henry James was a leading commentator on the art and theatre of his time. Readers of this complete collection of his nonfictional writing on art and drama will gain fresh insights not only into British, American and French culture, but also into James's fiction and critical thinking.

Henry James's writing extensively shows how art and drama influenced his life and work. Indeed, many of his novels and stories dramatise the circumstances of the artist's life, and are filled with allusions to art. He also experimented continuously with the 'scenic art' in his fiction, and wrote plays himself. This complete collection of essays and reviews presents the observations of a major author whose critical judgments have become central to an understanding of late-nineteenth-century art and drama. Readers will find James's texts as they first appeared, with a wealth of editorial support, which evokes the colourful world of the art scene in Britain, France and America, and of late Victorian theatre. Many of the items included have not previously been available in a scholarly edition. The editorial apparatus includes general introductions, chronologies, textual variants sections, and biographical guides to artists and actors.