Quote by Walter Bagehot
The best history is but like the art of Rembrandt it casts a vivid light on certain selected causes, on those which were best and greatest it leaves all the rest in shadow and unseen.
Summary
This quote suggests that the best recorded history is similar to the art of Rembrandt. Just as Rembrandt's paintings strategically illuminate specific aspects of his subjects, the best history focuses on significant causes, emphasizing the most important and grandest events while leaving other details in obscurity. Like Rembrandt's art, such history brilliantly highlights and sheds light on certain aspects while allowing others to remain hidden and unexplored.