The Anatomy Of Painting: Or A Short And Easy Introduction To Anatomy: Being A New Edition, On A Smaller Scale, Of Six Tables Of Albinus, With Their Linear Figures: Also, A New Translation Of Albinus's History Of That Work, And Of His Index To The Six Tables: To Which Are Added The Anatomy Of Celsus, With Notes, And The Physiology Of Cicero: With An Introduction, Giving A Short View Of Picturesque Anatomy. By John Brisbane, M. D.
[Tabulae Sceleti Et Musculorum Corporis Humani., English., Brisbane., 1769.]
Variant Title
Short and easy introduction to anatomy
Imprint
London:: Printed By George Scott, And Sold By T. Cadell Bookseller, Successor To Mr. Millar, In The Strand., MDCCLXIX.
Physical Description
xxvi, [5-]58, [2], 59-76 p., 6 pl. [i.e. 12 pl.]; 372 mm. (Folio).
General Note
There are bis pl. 1-6.
Responsibility Note
The translation is by Brisbane (General Preface, p. vii.).
Five of the plates are signed as drawn by Brisbane and engraved by J. Caldwall; one, as drawn by Brisbane and engraved by P. Benazech. The General Preface states that they are reduced copies of the originals [of Jan Wandelaar].
References
On Brisbane see I. Graef, 'John Brisbane MD', in Diabetes, 6 (1957), p.196-202.
Summary Note
This English translation of Albinus reproduces twelve of his plates, showing first the skeletal, then the muscular structure of the human body. In the General Preface and Introduction Brisbane relates the work to the interests of artists. 'Many', he writes, 'would incline to have some knowledge of the human frame, who cannot bear dead bodies and actual dissection ... it would be an easy matter to teach the most useful part of anatomy by models and figures alone, properly explained'. The artist need concern himself with the interior structure of the body only as it affects the representation of its surface.
Brisbane concludes his short introduction by suggesting that to encourage the arts of design 'A grand national academy should therefore be erected in the capital, upon the most extensive and generous plans'. This is followed by the postscript, 'Since this little work was sent to the press, we are informed that his Majesty has been pleased to erect an academy for the arts' - and it was not long before Brisbane had the pleasure of presenting this copy of his work to the Academy's library.
Provenance
Presented to the Academy by the author before 1 February 1769 (see RA Council Minutes, I, 14).
Binding Note
18th-century half calf, marbled-papered boards; rebacked and recornered in 20th century, red morocco spine-label lettered 'Brisbane's Painting'.
Subject
Human anatomy - Musculoskeletal system
Manuals - Great Britain - 18th century
Pictorial works - Great Britain - 18th century