The printers are named on the half-title versos and in the colophons: (Vols. I, II) 'Paris. - Imp. De W. Remquet, Goupy Et Cie, Rue Garancière, 5'; (Vols. III, IV) 'Imprimerie Générale De Ch. Lahure Rue de Fleurus, 9, à Paris'.
References
R.W. Lightbown, 'The inspiration of Christian art', in Influences in Victorian art and architecture, ed. S. Macready and F.H. Thompson (1985), p.3-40; M.C. Bowe, François Rio, sa place dans le renouveau catholique en Europe (1938).
Summary Note
The first three title pages carry the publication-date of 1861; the fourth, that of 1867. This is an expanded version of Rio's De La Poésie Chrétienne, published in 1836. In 1870 Rio's Epilogue A L'Art Chrétien (2 vols.) was published.
Here Rio attempts a critical evaluation of religious painting in Italy from the thirteenth to the sixteenth century, arguing that it is not formal beauty but truth of religious sentiment that gives value to a work of art. The work led to a new appreciation of such painters as Orcagna, Fra Angelico and Carpaccio and depreciation of Florentine 'naturalist' painters of the 15th century and for a preference of the earlier to the later works of Raphael.
The work considerably influenced the thinking of the British critics, Lord Lindsay, Mrs. Jameson and John Ruskin.
Provenance
The verso of the front loose endpaper is inscribed in pencil, 'S:A:H', i.e. S.A. Hart, librarian of the Royal Academy 1864-81.
Binding Note
19th-century half calf, brown cloth-covered boards; spines lettered 'L'Art Chrétien Rio - I.(-IV.)', 'R.A.' and 'Paris 1861 (- 1867)'.
Subject
Painting - Italy - History - Renaissance
Christian art and symbolism - Religious art - Aesthetics
Art history - Art criticism - Theory - France - 19th century