Seven Discourses on Art

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Reynolds, Joshua, Sir, 1723-1792

Contributor:

Morley, Henry, 1822-1894

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"Seven Discourses on Art" by Sir Joshua Reynolds is a collection of inaugural addresses delivered at the Royal Academy in the late 18th century. This work provides foundational principles of art as articulated by Reynolds, a prominent painter and the Academy's first president, encapsulating the blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application vital for artists seeking excellence. The opening of the book sets the stage for Reynolds' exploration of artistic principles, emphasizing the historical significance of creating a structured environment for artistic study, laid out by the Royal Academy. He reflects on the relationship between nature and art, urging young artists to rigorously study both, while advocating for discipline in learning classical techniques. Reynolds also highlights the importance of understanding the ideal forms of beauty that transcend individual peculiarities, encouraging a blend of inspiration from classical masters with personal artistic evolution. This initial discourse invites readers into a deep contemplation of art's purpose and the intellectual labor required to elevate it beyond mere imitation. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Credits:

Transcribed from the 1901 Cassell and Company edition by David Price. Proofing by David, Dawn Smith, Uzma, Jane Foster, Juliana Rew, Marie Rhoden and Jo Osment

Notes:

Reading ease score: 45.3 (College-level). Difficult to read.

Release date is 2000-05-01