Author: Bryan, Michael & Williamson, George C [editor]
Title: Bryan's Dictionary Of Painters And Engravers [ 5 volumes complete ]
Description: G Bell & Sons Ltd, 1918, reprint of 4th revised edition. Cloth, G. 5 volumes, xii+364pp, x+292pp, xvi+394pp, xvi+309pp, xviii+425pp, b/w frontis to each volume, grand total of 486 plate ( either engraved or from photographs ), cloth rubbed & marked with the spine lettering dulled, sporadic foxing throughout, 2 hinges a little tender, a working set. Hardback , no dustjacket. ¶ 'Originally published in parts between 1813 and 1816, this two-volume work, with its lively and authoritative artists' biographies, was widely acclaimed and quickly took its place as an outstanding reference text for the history of art: although undergoing numerous revisions and enlargements, it retained its prominence until the early twentieth century, and still features in bibliographical citations' [ODNB]. Michael Bryan [ 1757 - 1821 ] art dealer & art historian, who by 1790 was the leading London dealer in fine art. His gallery 'became a fashionable centre where artists and their patrons regularly met to view and discuss the paintings on display, which included important works by Dutch, Flemish, and Italian masters. His great learning and fair prices earned Bryan a reputation as 'a very honest man' ' (John Farington, Diary, 6.2217)

Keywords: art, art history, old masters, fine art, painting, biography, engravings