An illustrative supplement to Pilkington's Dictionary of painters ... principally taken from the Anecdotes of painting, etc / by Horatio Walpole, Earl of Orford. Consisting of biographical sketches, and 139 portraits.

  • Walpole, Horace, 1717-1797.
Date:
1805
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An illustrative supplement to Pilkington's Dictionary of painters ... principally taken from the Anecdotes of painting, etc / by Horatio Walpole, Earl of Orford. Consisting of biographical sketches, and 139 portraits. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    VI what was already finished. The Editor will not state the number of hours that the following selection and compilation occupied, being aware that it would not be considered an adequate apology for any deficiencies or inaccuracies as to its Contents, although to his own mind it must be a material palliation. He believes, however, that no errors will be discovered but what belong, together with the exclusive merit, to that great patron of the arts, Horatio Walpole, Earl of Orford, from whose Works the wrhole of this Book has been taken. Lives as well as Engravings, with the exception of those of West and Fuseli. The Editor cannot think that these addi- tional Portraits will be considered unappropriate to such a performance; notwithstanding the subjects are yet living, the first being President of the Royal Academy, and the latter having superintended that edition of Pilkington’s Book to which this Supplement directly refers. That he might not incur the charge either of flattery or of prejudice, he has particularly avoided any comment either upon the artists or upon their performances. The Life and Portrait of the Earl of Orford is added, on account of its near connection with the subject; and, indeed, had his lordship’s pen not furnished so grand a Desideratum to the History of Painting, the judgment he exercised in that particular department, and the noble patronage and encouragement he afforded to art and science of every description would give him an irresistible claim to rank with the first artists of his own country and time. A brief