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THE GREAT PAINTERS OF ITALY.

   
   
   

MEASON, G.L.  ON THE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE OF THE GREAT PAINTERS OF ITALY.

London: C. Hullmandel, 1828. Folio. Publisher's cloth. (viii) 147, (1), 4 pages, 55 lithographic plates. First edition, 1 of 150 copies.
Being a unique concept in architectural plate books with an analysis of homes set against large landscapes from Italian master paintings. The work was based on ideas set forth by Payne Knight in The Principles of Taste. The buildings eschew the Palladian format and tend to follow an irregular pattern. It was one of the first books to discuss how to situate homes pleasantly within a larger landscape. Plates V and XLIV are bound out of sequence but the book is complete. With an introduction by Joshua Reynolds. Light, sporadic foxing. John Smythe of Balhary's copy with his signature, dated 1832, and another family member's stamp on the title page. A very nice copy.

 

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