Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[learner12]

Hello, teachers!!

http://www.noteaccess.com/Texts/Lee/Intro.htm

[9] Furthermore the critics of the sixteenth century had before their eyes in the unrivaled painting of the Renaissance an open book, so to speak, of brilliant pictorial imagery;
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I don't understand the following three parts.
(1) before their eyes
I think that (1) means "in front of their eyes," or "in public."

(2) an open book
I am not quite sure about it. I believe that this phrase was used figuratively. It seems that they saw brilliant pictorial imagery in the unrivaled painting of the Renaissance clearly. It is an open book for them, I guess.

(3) the critics of the sixteenth century had
What did the critics of the sixteenth century have?

Thank you in advance.

[pugachevV]

It means that the critics of the 16th century, had, in font of them (literally)examples of brilliant pictorial imagery (unrivalled paintings) done during the Renaissance.

[learner12]

Dear pugachevV:

Thank you so much for your quick replies.

Take care and have a nice day!!