The Arabian Antiquities Of Spain. By James Cavanah Murphy.

James Cavanah Murphy

RA Collection: Book

Record number

05/161

Author

James Cavanah Murphy

Imprint

London:: Año J.C. MDCCCXIII. Año Heg. MCCXXVIII., London.: Published by Cadell & Davies,, June 1st. 1815.

Physical Description

[2], 21, [1] p., t.pl., 97 [i.e. 98] pl. (1 dble.); 659 mm.

General Note

There is a bis pl. 8. In addition pl. 78 appears to be composed of two coppers; pl. 79, of four; pl. 83, 84, of six each; pl. 85, of seven. The double pl. is pl. 12. Plate 44 does not carry a number.

[T.pl.] - Introduction - A Table Of The Plates - [Text; publisher's advertisement] - [Plates].

Responsibility Note

The title plate and all other plates are signed as drawn by J.C. Murphy, except plates 8, 11, 35, 83, 97. Most are signed by an engraver - J. Roffe (19 pl.); J. Le Keux (12 pl.); H. Le Keux (10 pl.); E. Turrell (8 pl.); J. Shury (6 pl.); J. Neagle (6 pl.); S. Porter (t.pl. and 5 pl.), J. Warner (3 pl.); S. Rawle, J. Fittler, J. Walker, J. Taylor, J. Landseer, G. Cooke, W. Woolnoth, Armstrong, F.R. Hay, W. Angus, J. Byrne, J. Lee (1 plate each). Sixteen plates do not carry an engraver's signature.

Each plate - and the title-plate - carries the imprint of Cadell and Davies, with the date (June 1st 1815).

The one headpiece is unsigned by draughtsman or engraver, but carries the imprint of Cadell and Davies, and the date (April 28th 1812).

References

RIBA, Early printed, 3 (1999), no. 2220, p.1197-8.

On the reception of Arab styles see J. Sweetman, The oriental obsession (1988); Tonia Raquejo, 'The "Arab cathedrals": Moorish architecture as seen by British travellers', in Burlington magazine, 128 (1986 August), p.555-63; M. Darby, The Islamic perspective: aspects of British architecture and design in the nineteenth century (1983).

Summary Note

The publication-date of June 1st. 1815 is carried by the title-plate and all plates. The title plate carries the date of 1813 within the plate; and there is one headpiece, which carries the date of April 28th 1812.

Plates and text describe the mosque at Córdoba (pl. 1-9) and Alhambra and the Generalife at Granada (pl. 10-97).

Provenance

In 1816 Council first resolved, and afterwards rescinded the resolution, to purchase this work for the Library (RAA Council Minutes, V, 307, 308, 1816 August 9). In 1839 Council again resolved to buy it.

Binding Note

19th-century half red morocco, marbled-papered boards; rebacked in 20th century, retaining earlier spine-piece, lettered 'Murphy's Arabian Antiquities Of Spain'.

Subject

Architecture, Arab - Mosques - Spain - Córdoba - History - 9th century - 10th century
Architecture, Arab - Interior decoration - Fortresses - Palaces - Spain - Andalucia - Granada - Alhambra - Generalife - History - 13th century - 14th century - 15th century
Art history - Great Britain - 19th century
Pictorial works - Great Britain - 19th century

Contributors

John Roffe, engraver
John Le Keux, engraver
Henry Le Keux, engraver
Edmund Turrell, engraver
John Shury, engraver
James Neagle, engraver
Samuel Porter, engraver
J. Warner, engraver
Samuel Rawle, engraver
James Fittler ARA, engraver
John Walker, engraver
J. Taylor, engraver
John Landseer ARA, engraver
George Cooke, engraver
William Woolnoth, engraver
Cosmo Armstrong, engraver
Frederick Rudolph Hay, engraver
William Angus, engraver
John Byrne, engraver
John Lee, engraver
Thomas Cadell the younger, publisher
William Davies, publisher
James Cavanah Murphy, draughtsman
Cadell and Davies (London), publisher