This volume investigates the stylistic evolution and historical significance of French painting prior to the nineteenth century as represented in the National Gallery collection. The author, Michael Francis Wilson, provides a scholarly overview of the artists and movements that defined the French school during this period. By examining specific works held within the gallery, the text establishes a framework for understanding the transition from classical influences to the emergence of distinct national styles.

The subject matter points to a specialized, academic reference text intended for students and enthusiasts of art history. The framing suggests a structured, descriptive approach to cataloging the National Gallery's holdings within this specific historical period.