Dictionnaire des Beaux-Arts.
Three vols. Large & thick 8vo, orig. paste–paper wrappers, orig. printed paper labels on spines, uncut. Paris: Crapelet, 1806.
First edition and a lovely fresh set in original state. Millin (1759-1818), a celebrated antiquary and prodigious author, was appointed keeper of antiquities and medals at the Bibliothèque nationale in 1795.
Dissatisfied with the state of comprehensive reference books on the fine arts, Millin set out to improve upon the earlier works of Lacombe, Sulzer, and Watelet (whom he criticizes in the preface). This work is incredibly wide-ranging with tens of thousands of entries, covering not just art but archeology, music, dance, architecture, art history, restoration, technical terms, opera, etc., etc. Millin was bibliographically oriented; many references are provided.
Nice set. Label of Vol. I a little defective.
❧ N.B.G., Vol. 35, cols. 537-41.
Price: $950.00
Item ID: 5737
