1728 An Historical Essay on the Original of Painting

Description

First Edition, Leather Binding, Very Scarce

The very scarce first edition of British architect Henry Bell's posthumously published study of the history of painting as an art form.

Bell, who designed many buildings in West Norfolk and contributed to the rebuilding of London following the great fire, discussed the likelihood of painting originating prior to the Biblical flood in the first part of the work, and its 'commencement again after the flood, and its progress through several nations' up until 1276 in the second part.

Lacking the title page and prefatory leaf.

With three pages of publisher's advertisements to the rear. 

ESTC reference no. T10542. With pages 45, 46, 47 and 48 misnumbered 46, 45, 48 and 47, as called for.

With the armorial bookplate of Sir Archibald Grant, 2nd Baronet of Monymusk (1969-1778), to the front pastedown, and an inscription dedicating the work to him to the head of the first leaf of text. A further contemporary inscription to the front free endpaper refers to Isaac Newton, who died the year prior to the publication of this work.

A very scarce early eighteenth century study of the origins of painting.