Seven Conferences Held In The King of France's Cabinet Of Paintings, Between Mr. Le Brun, Mr. Bourdon, Mr. De Champagne, Mr. Perrault, &c. On some of The most celebrated Pictures of Raphael, Titian, Paulo Veronese, Poussin, &c. In Which The Method of forming a Judgment on Paintings, is laid down with the greatest Elegance and Perspicuity. - Translated from the French of Felibien. With a curious Preface. -
London:: Printed for T. Cooper, at the Globe in Pater-noster-Row., 1740.
Physical Description
[2], lxii, 170, [2] p.; 199 mm. (Quarto.)
General Note
Pages xliii-xlvi and xlix are misnumbered as lxiii-lxvi and lxix.
Contents
[Half-t., t.p.] - The Preface - [Text] - Index [i.e. list of contents].
Responsibility Note
The translator is not named. ESTC states that he was Henri Testelin.
The decorations are unsigned.
References
ESTC, T125177
C. Harrison et al., edd., Art in Theory 1648-1815 An Anthology (2000)
J. Thuillier, 'Pour André Félibien', in XVII siècle, 138 (1983), p.67-95, 141-57
B. Tessèydre, 'Félibien et Roger de Piles: historiens de la peinture française avant Poussin', in Information de l'histoire de l'art, 6:3 (1961), p.72-81.
Summary Note
The half-title reads, 'Seven Conferences On Painting'. André Félibien's Conférences de l'Académie Royale ... pendant l'année 1667 had first been published in French in Paris in 1669. (The Académie afterwards became part of the Institut de France.)
In his Preface Félibien states his own views on painting, stressing the importance of subject-matter as the most powerful stimulus to the full range of an artist's abilities. The seven 'Conferences' (i.e. short lectures followed by discussions) are described in the Index as on:
1. 'the St. Michael of Raphael: Treats of Design and Expression';
2. 'Titian's Picture of our Saviour carry'd to his Tomb ...: Treats of Colouring';
3. 'Several curious Remarks on the famous Statue of Laocöon';
4. 'Raphael's Picture of the Virgin Mary holding our Saviour in her Arms: Treats of Light and Shade, and of varying the Expression according to the Quality of the Subject';
5. 'the Picture of our Saviour ... in the Village of Emaus, after his Resurrection, by Paulo Veronese: Treats of Ordonnance, or of the Regularity, Proportion and Harmony of the Whole, or the Parts of a Picture';
6. 'the Picture of the Children of Israel in the Wilderness gathering Manna, by Monsieur Poussin: Treats of Disposition in general and particular; of Design, of the Expression of the Passions, of Perspective and of the Harmony of Colours';
7. 'the Picture of our Saviour curing the two blind Men, by Mr. Poussin: Treats of the same Subjects ...'.
The book is decorated with headpieces.
Reproductions
An electronic reproduction was published in 2003 (Farmington Hills, Mich.: Thomson Gale). A microfilm version was published in 1986 (Woodbridge CT: Research Publications).
Provenance
A preliminary leaf is inscribed in ink, 'Bequest of Sr A.W. Callcott'.
Copy Note
The front endpaper is inscribed in ink with notes listing the contents. Some pages of text carry marginal annotations in pencil.
Binding Note
18th-century mottled calf; red morocco spine-label lettered 'Seven Confere On Painting'.
Painting - Art - Theory
Painting - Paintings - Italy - 16th century - 17th century
Lectures - Debates - Art criticism - France - 17th century
Lectures - Translations from French - Translations into English - Great Britain - 18th century