Distribucion de los Premios concedidos por el Rey

CARLOS III (1759-1788) King of Spain. Distribucion de los Premios concedidos por el Rey nuestro Señor a los Discipulos de las Nobles Artes, hecha por la Real Academia de San Fernando en la Junta Pública de 5 de Julio de 1772. Madrid, Joaquin Ibarra [1772]. 4to. [2]f + 88p. Contemporary Spanish mottled calf; backstrip gilt; edges gilt; hinges worn. £550 Tri-annual report of the proceedings of the Royal Academy of Arts of San Fernando as from 12th July 1769, beautifully printed by Joaquin Ibarra. The volume comprises an historical account of the Academy established in 1752 by King Fernando VI, recent appointments of honorary members, and details of the prize-giving to Academy pupils on 5th July 1772. Gold and silver medals were awarded to participants in a set competition for the execution of paintings, sculpture, architecture, and the engraving of prints and of medals. The tasks to be completed in the various disciplines are described, and the names, ages, and localities of the prize-winners are listed. The final section (pp65-88) consists of a catalogue of all existing members of the academy, which operates today as ‘Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando’. A fresh copy from the libraries of Domenico Marchese di Salsa and John William Ward 1st Earl of Dudley (1781-1833) with their respective engraved armorial bookplates on front pastedown. The Salsa library was sold by a descendant directly to Viscount Dudley.