1883 Vol. 2 "The Literary Works of Sir Joshua Reynolds" Red Full Leather Book

Written In English 

This second volume of The Literary Works of Sir Joshua Reynolds was published in 1883 by George Bell and Sons, York Street, Covent Garden, London. It comprises Reynolds’s writings—most notably his Discourses delivered to students at the Royal Academy—alongside a memoir by Henry William Beechey that illuminates Reynolds’s life and professional practice. Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723–1792) was one of the foremost portrait painters of 18th-century Britain and the first President of the Royal Academy; his Discourses were influential essays on art theory, technique, and the moral responsibilities of the artist, reflecting the intellectual and cultural currents of the Enlightenment. By collecting these texts, the volume aimed to preserve and circulate Reynolds’s significant contributions to British art, capturing the era’s fascination with establishing a formal, theoretical foundation for artistic endeavor.

The historical context of this book lies in the broader Victorian reverence for earlier figures who helped shape Britain’s cultural institutions. Reynolds’s insights on aesthetics, composition, and the education of artists held continued importance in a period that both celebrated its national heritage and sought to professionalize the study of art. This particular copy bears a lavish red leather binding with gilt tooling, prominently stamped on the front cover with “Science and Art Department Queen’s Prize for Art.” Such prize bindings were awarded as honors, indicating the high regard in which Reynolds’s works were held, as well as the 19th-century tradition of commemorating academic or artistic achievement with finely bound books. Gilt rules and decorative flourishes adorn the spine, marked “Sir J. Reynolds’s Works Vol. II,” underscoring the volume’s distinguished status.

An easy way to remember the essence of this book is to note that it consolidates the theoretical and instructive writings of one of Britain’s greatest portrait painters, whose lectures guided generations of artists and helped to shape the Royal Academy’s principles. Reynolds’s texts emphasize the importance of studying the Old Masters, developing a disciplined technique, and imbuing artworks with moral and intellectual depth—ideas that influenced art education well into the Victorian period and beyond.

Condition:

The volume remains in very good condition, with the red leather boards showing only minor scuffing at the corners and edges. The gilt decoration on both the cover and spine is still bright and legible, indicating careful handling over the years. Internally, the pages exhibit typical age-toning and occasional spots of foxing, yet the text remains clear and easily readable. The binding is secure, with no loose pages or cracked hinges, making this a well-preserved example of a late 19th-century prize volume dedicated to the enduring legacy of Sir Joshua Reynolds.