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A TREATISE ON ANCIENT PAINTING

 
   
   

TURNBULL, George.  A TREATISE ON ANCIENT PAINTING, CONTAINING OBSERVATIONS ON THE RISE, PROGRESS, AND DECLINE OF THAT ART AMONGST THE GREEKS AND ROMANS.   

London: The Author, 1740. Folio. Contemporary full calf. vi, v-xl, 1-183, (184) pages, 50 numbered plates, 4 additional plates lettered A-D, of which 6 of the plates are double paged. First edition. [Schimmelman, Books on Arts in Early America, # 165].

Turnbull studied the many ancient paintings being uncovered by archaeological excavations in Rome and compiled this volume illustrating fifty of the best examples.  The drawings were done by the Roman artist Camillo Paderni and engraved by J Mynde.  Added to the main group of plates are four additional line drawing illustrations with a key of colors for each.  The subscribers pages list noted Scottish architect William Adam, and also one subscriber with a Virginia connection -- the "honourable William Murray" who was the father of John Murray, last royal governor of Virginia (1771-1776), the fourth Earl of Dunmore.  There is also a copy listed in the Library Company of Philadelphia collection in the eighteenth century.  Spine has been expertly rebacked at an early date, else very good.

 

$2,350.00