SKETCHES OF THE HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN ART
London: John Murray, 1847. First edition. 3 volumes: cclxv, 143; (4), 359; (4), 435 pp. 16-page publisher’s catalogue, dated July, 1846 at rear of volume one. Survey of Christian painting and sculpture; “addressing Romance literature of the Middle Ages, iconography, and legends of the saints, the book’s historical narrative is infused with the author’s strong moral approach to the subject. Though derided by John Ruskin, the work strongly influenced aristocratic collecting and remains relevant to readers interested in the Victorian construction of morals and artistic taste” (U. of Cambridge Press online ad). Armorial bookplate of James Hunter on front pastedown; Hunter (1814-1854) was one of the early owners of Hafton House, a country estate in Hunter’s Quay, Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Original blind-stamped plum cloth (spines faded to brown), gilt spine titles. Several signatures pulled a bit in volume one, but a very good copy. Item #66954
Price: $250.00