A Biographical Dictionary: Containing an Historical Account of All the Engravers, from the Earliest Period of the Art of Engraving to the Present Time; and a Short List of Their Most Esteemed Works. . With Several Curious Specimens of the Performances of the Most Ancient Artists. by Joseph Strutt

A Biographical Dictionary: Containing An Historical Account Of All The Engravers, From The Earliest Period Of The Art Of Engraving To The Present Time; And A Short List Of Their Most Esteemed Works.. With Several Curious Specimens Of The Performances Of The Most Ancient Artists. By Joseph Strutt is a scholarly survey of European engraving from the late medieval through the early modern era. It presents a critical introduction to the origins and development of engraving, contrasting Italian and German drawing styles and arguing that merit rests as much in drawing, form, and the handling of light and shadow as in finish. The work foregrounds Italian masters such as Marc Antonio Raimondi and Raphael, and analyzes the shift toward the elegance of line, naturalism, and antique influence, while assessing German masters like Dürer, Lucas van Leyden, and Aldegrever. Beyond theory, the volume functions as a comprehensive biographical catalog, listing engravers by nationality and period, noting signatures and monograms, notable works, and the evolution of techniques (copper engraving, wood engraving, chiaroscuro). Plates, frontispieces, and a rich apparatus connect artists, ateliers, and printmaking history, making it a foundational reference for attribution and art-historical study.