This paper has been prepared with the understanding that while much has been printed concerning a few individual art poems of Browning, such as _Abt Vogler_, _Andrea del Sarto_ and _Fra Lippo Lippi_, no complete, systematic survey of the place of Italian art in Browning’s text has appeared; and in the belief that such a survey might be worth while. Much of Browning’s treatment of art is of course omitted in the discussion; for he introduces art data from other countries than Italy, and has much to say of the nature and purpose of art in general. Within the limits chosen, the purpose has been to make a practically complete survey for each of the five fine arts, sculpture, music, poetry, architecture and painting, in the order here given. The attempt has also been made, based on data from letters and biographies, to trace to some extent the chronological perspective of Browning’s interest in the individual arts, and to indicate the apparent sources of that interest. Chapter VII deals with “comparative aesthetics” (within the limits of our title), the poetic values Browning finds in the arts, the causes determining the relative emphasis upon each art, and the relations of these data to Browning’s dominant concern as a poet--human personality. That the study has been brought to its present form is due, in part, to help and encouragement given by Professor S. L. Whitcomb. The manuscript has been carefully read by Professor D. L. Patterson and Professor Margaret Lynn. The former has given valuable suggestions concerning the historical aspects of the paper, and the latter, helpful criticism based on her special knowledge of Browning’s text. To these three instructors in the University of Kansas, and to all others who have given assistance, including fellow students, a grateful acknowledgement of indebtedness is here made. PEARL HOGREFE. Mansfield, Louisiana, May 1, 1914. CONTENTS CHAPTER I Browning’s General Interest in Art. I. Subject Matter of Browning’s Poems 9 II. Interest in Music 10 III. Relation to Painting 10 IV. Relation to Sculpture 12 V. Significance of the Preceding Sections 12 VI. Time Spent in Italy 13 VII. English Knowledge of Italian Art in Browning’s Time 13 VIII. Non-English Themes and Settings in General 14 IX. A Quantitative Statement 14 CHAPTER II Italian Sculpture in the Poems of Browning. I. General Statement 15 II. Historical Scope 16 III. Poetic Functions of the References to Sculpture 17 IV. Source of Browning’s Knowledge 22 CHAPTER III Italian Music in the Poems of Browning.