The Art of Painting in all its branches, Methodically demonstrated by Discourses and Plates, And Exemplified by Remarks on The Paintings of the best Masters: And their Perfections and Oversights laid open

A very smart second edition copy of Fritsch's translation of this impressive work on artistic style, exceptionally scarce in all editions. The impressive second edition of this work, first published in English in 1738 by the author, John Frederick Fritsch. ESTC T129111 The original work pulished in 1707 by Dutch artist, Gérard de Lairesse under the title Groot Schilderboek. Bound in half calf with paper covered boards. Copiously illustrated with seventy-one engraved plates. Collated, lacking the title page, otherwise complete. This wonderfully comprehensive eighteenth-century study of painting takes the reader through a series of motifs, styles such as portraiture, techniques for constructing perspective, culminating in a final chapter on the art of engraving. Complimented by original illustrations originally produced by Gérard de Lairesse and engraved for this work by John Carwitham. Gérard de Lairesse was a renowed Dutch Golden Age painter and theorist, remembered for his treatises on painting and drawing, as well as his artworks, including; Allegory of the Five Senses (1668) and Diana and Endymion(c1680). Groot Schilderboek was particularly influential amongst contemporary artists. With the bookplate of Henry Leigh Bennet, Conservative Member of Parliament for Chertset from 1897 to 1903. Bound in half calf with marbled paper boards. Externally, generally smart. Rubbing to paper boards and leather at extremities and joints, with some loss to very extremities. Fading to leather at joints and upper boards, more prominent to rear. Lighter rubbing to spine bands and head and tail of spine with some loss to gilt spine compartments. Spine label lifting at rear joint. Bookplate to front pastedown. Offsetting to end paper perimeters. Internally, bright and clean. Characteristic age toning to plates and pages. Ink and pencil illustrations to the reverse of several plates. Otherwise the occasional handling mark or instance of spotting, mostly to first and last leaves. Archival repair to the head and tail of final three leaves. Very Good.…