Society of Dilettanti drawings, prints, and letters, 1806-1880.

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Society of Dilettanti drawings, prints, and letters, 1806-1880.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/123429849

A collection of drawings and prints reflecting the Society of Dilettanti's work in recording and publishing ancient sculpture and architecture, primarily of Greece. The main portion comprises drawings and printed proofs for three publications: Specimens of antient sculpture, Aegyptian, Etruscan, Greek, and Roman; Antiquities of Ionia; and The unedited antiquities of Attica. Also included are letters by the archaeologist, topographer, and member of the Society, William Gell, written mainly during his travels to Greece and Asia Minor. Series I comprises 253 drawings and prints executed in preparation for Specimens of antient sculpture, including 20 drawings for plates that are not part of the final publication. The objects came from the private collections of several members of the Society, mainly Richard Payne Knight and Charles Townley. The first volume was published in 1809, the second volume did not appear until 1835 when most of the sculpture previously in private collections was placed in the British Museum. The prints are proofs for plates in the second volume, with several proofs for a plate frequently present. The presence of multiple proofs with various annotations provides a glimpse into the process of selecting and captioning of plates. Most of the prints are stipple engravings; most of the drawings are wash drawings. The surviving drawings and proofs for the second volume show how much of the work was completed before Knight's death in 1824. Series II contains 14 drawings and two printed proofs for Antiquities of Ionia, including ten wash and ink drawings and two etchings for plates in part III, and two engravings for plates in part IV. The plates depict views of the ancient cities Knidos [Cnidus] and Patara, and sculpture fragments found at Priene. Series III consists of ten architectural drawings, including nine drawings for The unedited antiquities of Attica. Six of the drawings are for plates in chapter II on Eleusis: Propylaea, two are for plates in chapter III Eleusis: inner vestibules, and one is for a plate in chapter VI Rhamnus: Temple of Nemesis. Also present is an additional drawing of the floor-plan of the Temple of Jupiter Olympius at Agrigentum for an unknown publication. Series IV includes six letters by the English archaeologist, traveler and topographer Sir William Gell (1777-1836) addressed to Sir Henry Englefield, Secretary of the Society, written during the 1812-1813 expedition to Greece and Asia Minor. Gell writes about archaeological work at Eleusis and Corinth, mentions drawings he made at these sites, and comments on the newly discovered Aeginetan sculptures. The letters are illustrated with small sketches. An additional letter by Gell was written in 1834 from Naples to Lady Blessington in London about their common literary interests. Also present are five bank drafts by Gell, dated 1806-1809.

28.64 linear ft. (14 boxes)

Getty Research Institute

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 6813504

Getty Research Institute

Related Entities

There are 23 Entities related to this resource.

Freebairn, Alfred Robert, 1794-1846

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6cj8ww6 (person)

Knight, Richard Payne, 1751-1824

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6jh3whk (person)

Epithet: of Add MS 36501 British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000753.0x000045 Epithet: of Add MS 35649 British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000753.0x000044 Epithet: MP British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000753.0x000040 Epithet: numismatist Bri...

Agar, John Samuel, approximately 1770-approximately 1835

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6pr8csh (person)

Schiavonetti, Niccolo, 1771-1813

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6xk8zmr (person)

Burney, Edward Francis, 1760-1848

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w615514z (person)

A cousin of the novelist Frances Burney (1752-1840). From the description of Letters, 1804. (University of Pennsylvania Library). WorldCat record id: 231682921 ...

Corbould, George-James 1786-1846

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6x644h5 (person)

Mackenzie, Frederick, 1787 or 1788-1854

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6w673pt (person)

Blessington, Marguerite, Countess of, 1789-1849

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6z60p36 (person)

Marguerite Gardiner, countess of Blessington, Irish-born British writer. Best remembered for her Journal of Conversations with Lord Byron, she was active in British literary circles of the first half of the 19th century. From the guide to the Lady Blessington manuscript material : 92 items, 1820-1849, (The New York Public Library. Carl H. Pforzheimer Collection of Shelley and His Circle.) Irish writer and wife of the Earl of Blessington. From the description of L...

Bromley, William, 1769-1842

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6h99p1q (person)

English engraver. From the description of Autograph letter in third person, not signed : n.p. [London], to Cadell & Davies, 1798 Mar. 13. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270132762 ...

Penel, Jules, b. 1833,

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6m90scz (person)

Propylaea (Acropolis, Athens, Greece)

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6zs7gbc (corporateBody)

Cooke, William John, 1797-1865

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6pz5sm5 (person)

Howard, Henry, 1769-1847

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6mc9gnx (person)

English painter. From the description of Autograph letter signed : Newman St. [London], to Sir William Beechey, 1813 Feb. 17. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 269532530 From the description of Printed card of admission signed : [London?], 1814 Feb. 21. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 269553863 From the description of Autograph letter signed : [n.p.], to Sir Thomas, [n.d.]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270880420 From the description of Autograph letters signe...

Finden, W. 1787-1852,

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6000jw3 (person)

Gell, William, Sir, 1777-1836

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w69319rm (person)

Epithet: of Add MS 37884 British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000446.0x0003ce English archaeologist and traveller. From the description of Autograph letters signed (5) : Grasmere, "Strawberry Hill," Venice, London, and Naples, to his aunt, Mrs. Smith, 1798 July 23-1822 Oct. 26. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 269590540 From the description of Autograph letter signed : Naples, to Mrs. Edward Lytto...

Society of Dilettanti (London, England)

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6k11qmk (corporateBody)

Private English organization of antiquarians. From the description of Records, 1736-1908 [microform]. (Getty Research Institute). WorldCat record id: 84922741 The Society of Dilettanti, founded in 1734, was an informal organization of English collectors and artits which contributed to the neo-classical movement by sponsoring study and fostering interest in the remains of classical antiquity. Providing financial assistance, the society sent archaeological expeditions to Italy...

Englefield, Henry, Sir, 1752-1822

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6bk1w55 (person)

Temple of Nemesis (Rhamnous Site, Greece)

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6r832gn (corporateBody)

Skelton, William, 1763-1848

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6gf1bc3 (person)

Epithet: formerly trumpeter, 19th Light Dragoons British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000001130.0x0001a5 ...

Scriven, Edward, 1775-1841

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w68w3wwt (person)

Corbould, H. 1787-1844,

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6417f47 (person)

Townley, Charles, 1737-1805

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6k93r9g (person)

Epithet: of Townley British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000266.0x000222 Epithet: of Towneley Hall, county Lancashire; of Add MS 43251 British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000266.0x000220 Epithet: of Burnley British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000266.0x00021e ...

Fiessinger, Franz Gabriel, 1752-1807

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6p84w1h (person)