The Works Of Jonathan Richardson. Containing I. The Theory Of Painting. II. Essay On The Art Of Criticism, (So far as it relates to Painting). III. The Science Of A Connoisseur. A New Edition, corrected, with the Additions of An Essay on the Knowledge Of Prints, and Cautions to Collectors. Ornamented with Portraits by Worlidge, &c. of the most eminent Painters mentioned. Dedicated, by Permission, to Sir Joshua Reynolds. The Whole intended as a Supplement to the Anecdotes of Painters and Engravers.
Theory of painting
Essay on the art of criticism
Science of a connoisseur
Essay on the theory of painting
Essay on the whole art of criticism as it relates to painting
Supplement To The Hon. Horace Walpole's Anecdotes of Painters and Engravers
Essay On Prints
Imprint
Printed At Strawberry-Hill.: Sold by B. White and Son, Fleetstreet; T. and J. Egerton, Whitehall; J. Debrett, Piccadilly; R. Faulder, and W. Miller, New Bond-Street; J. Cuthell, Middle-Row, Holborn; J. Barker, Russell-Court; and E. Jeffery, Pall-Mall., 1792.
[Half-t., frontis., t.p., dedic.] - Contents - [Text, and plates] - Introduction To The Chronological List, &c. - Historical and Chronological Series of the Principal Professors of Painting.
Responsibility Note
The frontispiece is signed as drawn by P. Falconet and engraved by D.P. Pariset. The other plates are unsigned.
The title-page vignette is unsigned.
The publication reprints the 1773 dedication by 'The Editor' (Richardson's son) to Sir Joshua Reynolds.
References
ESTC, T52772
A.T. Hazen, A bibliography of Horace Walpole (1948).
C. Gibson-Wood, Jonathan Richardson: art theorist ( 2000); C. Gibson Wood, Studies in the theory of connoisseurship from Vasari to Morelli (1988).
I. Pears, The discovery of painting: the growth of interest in the arts in England 1680-1768 (1988).
L. Lipkine, The ordering of the arts in 18th-century England (1970), p. 109-26.
S. H. Monk, The sublime: a study of critical theories in eighteenth-century England (Rev. ed. 1960).
Summary Note
The half-title reads, 'Supplement To The Hon. Horace Walpole's Anecdotes of Painters and Engravers.'
Richardson's An essay on the theory of painting was originally published in 1715; and was followed in 1719 by his An essay on the whole art of criticism as it relates to painting and an argument in behalf of the science of the connoisseur. In the second edition of his Essay on the theory of painting (1725) Richardson added a chapter on the sublime.
In the introduction to his Theory of painting the author characterises painting as not only a source of pleasure but also a mental stimulus. The artist must have knowledge of many disciplines and of human character. Richardson's argument on the science of a connoisseur includes a plea for raising the standing of the artist and of general taste in Britain - concerns which would be taken up by others and lead eventually to the forming of the Royal Academy of Arts. These theoretic works had great influence - Reynolds, indeed, declaring that reading the 'Theory' had encouraged him to take up painting as a career.
In this edition the frontispiece shows a portrait of Sir Joshua Reynolds. The plates show portraits of [1] 'Rafaelle', [2] 'Antony Allegri, commonly called Corregio', [3] 'Peter Paul Rubens Kt.', [4] [uncaptioned], [5] 'Sr. Anthony Vandyke Kt.', [6] 'Nicolo Poussin', [7] 'Pietro Da Cortona', [8] 'Leonardo DaVinci', [9] 'Holbeni HH Æ. 45', [10] 'Luca Giordano', [11] [Rembrandt (uncaptioned)]. All are printed on pink paper. The title-page vignette shows a view (of Strawberry Hill?).
Reproductions
An electronic reproduction was published in 2003 (Farmington Hills, Mich.: Thomson Gale). A microfilm version was published in 1986 (Woodbridge CT: Research Publications).
Binding Note
18th-century half calf, marbled-papered boards; rebacked and recornered in 20th century, spine lettered 'Richardson Works'.
Subject
Painting - Painters - Theory
Art criticism - Connoisseurship
Essays - Treatises - Art criticism - Great Britain - 18th century
Pictorial works - Great Britain - 18th century