The Life Of Sir David Wilkie; With His Journals, Tours, And Critical Remarks On Works Of Art; And A Selection From His Corespondence. By Allan Cunningham. In Three Volumes. Vol. I. (-III.)
Vol. I: [Frontis., t.p., dedic.] - Preface [by Peter Cunningham] - Contents Of The First Volume - [Text]; [colophon] - [Publisher's advertisement]. - Vol. II: [Half-t., t.p.] - Contents Of The Second Volume - [Text]; [colophon] - [Publisher's advertisement]. - Vol. III: [Half-t., t.p.] - Contents Of The Third Volume; [publisher's advertisement] - [Text] - Appendix [A-D]; [colophon].
Responsibility Note
The frontispiece portrait of Wilkie in Volume I is signed as painted by Thomas Phillips R.A. and engraved by Edward McInnes.
It carries the publisher's imprint of John Murray, and the date (1843).
The printer is named on the title-page verso of Volume I, the half-title versos of Volumes II and III and in the colophons: 'London: Printed By A. Spottiswoode, New-Street-Square.'
The work is 'Inscribed To The Right Honourable Sir Robert Peel, Bart. &c. &c. &c. In Remembrance Of His Long And Steady Friendship For Sir David Willkie.'
References
N. Tromans, David Wilkie, painter of everyday life [exhibition catalogue] (2002); W. Chiego, David Wilkie of Scotland (1785-1841) [exhibition catalogue] (1987); D. Macmillan, Painting in Scotland [exhibition catalogue] (1986); L. Errington, Tribute to Wilkie [exhibition catalogue] (1985).
Summary Note
The biography is followed in Volume III by four appendices: A. Address of the Royal Academy to Thomas Wilkie, Esq., the Brother, and Miss Helen Wilkie, the Sister, of the late Sir David Wilkie, R.A.; B. Testimony to the Memory of Sir David Wilkie, addressed to the President and Council of the Royal Academy; C. Wilkie Statue; D. Pictures painted by Sir David Wilkie.
The only illustration is the frontispiece portrait in Volume I, of Sir David Wilkie after the painting by T. Phillips.
The titles of the publisher's three advertisements are (Vol. I) 'Works Lately Published By Mr. Murray' (n.d.); (Vol. II) 'Works Of Travels Lately Published By Mr. Murray' (n.d.); (Vol. III) 'Mr. Murray's Handbooks For Travellers' (n.d.).
Sir David was popularly admired for his paintings of agricultural labour - though after his visit to Europe between 1825 and 1828 his palette and range of subjects became richer.
Binding Note
20th-century red cloth-covered boards; spines lettered 'Sir D. Wilkie Cunningham - Vol. I.(-III.)', 'R.A.' and '1843'.
Artists - Painters - Draughtsmen - History painters - Portraitists - Genre - Great Britain - History - 19th century
Biography - Art history - Catalogues - Great Britain - 19th century
Publishers' catalogues - Great Britain - 19th century