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GWYNN, John, R.A. (1713--1786)
An essay on design: including proposals for erecting a public academy to be supported by voluntary subscription, (till a royal foundation can be obtained) for educating the British youth in drawing and the several arts depending theron.

Dublin (Place), printed by George Faulkner,, 1749.
[4], iv, 55, [1] p. ; 20.2 cm. (8°)

Anonymous. The dedication signed 'J. Gwyn', i.e. the architect John Gwynn. First published in London in 1749. The essay was written partly to answer the Abbé Jean-Bernard Le Blanc's criticism of English artists in his Letters on the English and French Nations published in 1747 (see R. Paulson, Hogarth: his life, art, and times (New Haven 1971), II, p. 137-9). Gwynn proposed a public academy of art in order to counteract what he perceived as undue French influence in art. ESTC t165460; Harris and Savage 275.

Copy Notes Inscribed in ink on title-page James Murphy. Murphy (1725--1759), a dramatic writer and barrister, was the brother of Arthur Murphy, the actor and biographer of Dr. Johnson and David Garrick.

Binding C19th calf, gilt thick-thin double-rule borders, gilt-tooled spine. Bound for J. Britton for 3s. 6d. on 16 November 1814. (Archive 7/6/55).

Reference Number 2406

Additional Names Murphy, James (1725--1759)


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