DU FRESNOY, Charles Alphonse (1611-1668); John Dryden (translates)

[De Arte Graphica] The Art of Painting : with Remarks: Translated into English, with an Original Preface, Containing a Parallel Between Painting and Poetry: by Mr. Dryden. As Also a Short Account of the Most Eminent Painters, Both Ancient and Modern: by R. G. [Richard Graham]

London: printed for Bernard Lintott, between the Temple Gates, in Fleetstreet, 1716. Cambridge-style Calf. Second Edition, revised and enlarged, of Dryden's prose translation of du Fresnoy's poem on the art of painting, prefaced by Dryden's Parallel of Poetry and Painting and with Richard Graham's biographical chronology of painters, "A short account of the most eminent painters," with separate title page. Foolscap 8vo (171 x 107mm): [16],lxviii,[4],397,[7]pp, with copper-engraved frontispiece and armorial headpiece, both by S. Gribelin. Cambridge-style paneled calf, calf lettering piece gilt, edges speckled red, title page printed in red and black. Provenance: Jacobean armorial book plate of Thomas Lloyd of Aston to front paste-down (Frank Bequest 18506). An excellent example in contemporary binding, fresh and bright. Griffith 46 (for another 1716 edition with different imprint). MacDonald 139 b. Maslen & Lancaster 286 (Issue A). Fine. Item #BB2525

Parallel texts of du Fresnoy’s Latin poem, "De arte graphica," and Dryden’s translation, modified by Charles Jervas (who corrected the errors in Dryden's translation for this edition, possibly with the assistance of Pope). Written during du Fresnoy's 24-year Italian sojourn and published in Latin, in Paris, as L'art de peinture, in 1668; the first English edition appeared in 1695 (MacDonald 139 a). "To Mr. Jervas, with Frensoy’s [sic] Art of painting’, in verse, is by Alexander Pope. Printed by William Bowyer (1500 ordinary and 50 fine-paper copies "with margin alter’d"). Samuel Johnson admired the translation, including several hundred quotations from it in his Dictionary. N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition, carefully preserved in archival, removable mylar sleeves. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed. (Fine Editions Ltd is a member of the Independent Online Booksellers Association, and we subscribe to its codes of ethics.).

Price: $574.00