Desultory exposition of an anti-british system of Incendiary Publication, &c. intended to sacrifice the honor and interests of the british institution, The Royal Academy, And the whole Body of the british artists and their patrons, to the Passions, Quakeries, and Falsehoods of certain disappointed candidates for Prizes at the British Gallery and Admission as Associates into the Royal Academy.
London.
Printed by W. Glindon...for the Author, 1819.
First edition.
8vo.
[3], vi-xii, 349pp, [3]. Without half-title. Uncut in modern navy morocco-backed blue cloth boards, contrasting green morocco lettering-piece. Lightly sunned. Short marginal tear to leaf S4, very occasional light spotting.
The uncommon first edition of Irish art critic William Paulet Carey's (1759- 1839) attack on painter Benjamin Haydon (1786-1846) and architect James Elmes (1782-1862), written in response to Haydon's accusations in Annals of the Fine Arts, Nos. 8 & 9, that Carey had been paid to write favourably about the works of American-born history painter Benjamin West. Carey, who left Ireland after being accused of inciting revolutionary sentiment among the volunteer yeomanry, was well-known for his efforts promoting British art and artists. His impassioned address of 1825, The National Obstacle to the National Public Style Considered, lamented the inexorable decline of British painting, particularly history painting, and bemoaned the failure of the state to encourage art.
£ 375.00
Antiquates Ref: 22624
