Stephens was an influential art critic, noted art historian, Keeper of Prints and Drawings at the British Museum, and member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. It could be said that, through his articles in papers like The Art Journal and The Portfolio, he was the voice of the Brotherhood, putting their philosophy before the public and publicizing their works. In fact the full page dedication is to William M. Rossetti, one of the founders of the PRB.
An early book illustrated with original photographs, having been produced only 20 years after the first such title (Fox Talbot’s The Pencil of Nature) was completed. The text that accompanies the photos “... describes the most famous buildings of the Low Countries, details much of their history and that of those who used them ...” (cf. Dedication)
According to one contemporary review, written in typical Victorian style, “The title is full of promise which is nowhere disappointed, from the first to the last page ...”.