This is Kobbe’s and one of my favourite books (after Rebecca and Bleeding London, that is) and because I dip into it a lot, I reckon that puts me firmly on the path to virtu, which means: ‘The fine arts as a subject of study or interest; (also) appreciation or taste for, or expertise in, the fine arts. In later use freq. depreciative: interest in or collection of antiques, natural curiosities, rarities, etc., pursued in the manner of a dabbler or dilettante. Now chiefly hist.’ (OED).
Day #73of a 365 project, where the daily pic is informed by the OED word of the day.