The Anatomy of Painting — John Brisbane (1769)
First Edition • Large Folio • Restored Binding • Twelve Anatomical Plates
A rare opportunity to acquire a true cornerstone of anatomical and art‑historical illustration—the 1769 First Edition of John Brisbane’s “The Anatomy of Painting,” printed in London by George Scott and sold by T. Cadell, successor to the famed Andrew Millar. Copies seldom appear on the market and are most often encountered only in institutional collections.
Bibliographic Details ~ Title: The Anatomy of Painting: Or A Short and Easy Introduction to Anatomy…Author: John Brisbane. Publisher: George Scott; sold by T. Cadell, London. Date: 1769. Format: Large Folio, approx. 15" × 10". Pagination: 76 pp. Plates: Twelve anatomical plates after Albinus. Five signed as drawn by Brisbane and engraved by J. Caldwall. One engraved by P. Benazech. All reduced from the originals of Jan Wandelaar
Additional Content: A New translation of Albinus’s History and Index. The Anatomy of Celsus, with notes. The Physiology of Cicero. * With The printer’s "Directions to the Bookbinder" on the final page
Binding & Condition ~ A beautifully restored example, structurally sound and ready for centuries more of admiration. New calf leather spine and corner tips, executed with sensitivity to the period. Original marbled paper boards retained, showing expected rubbing and edge wear. Occasional foxing and light indentation to the heavy paper stock (possibly from an early book press). Small stain to upper corners of roughly 30 pages—cosmetic only, not affecting text or plates. Minor tear to lower edge of a rear endpaper. Plates crisp, impressions strong, and the folio format displays them with striking presence. A handsome, dignified copy—far better preserved than most surviving examples.
Significance ~This volume stands at the intersection of art, anatomy, and Enlightenment pedagogy—a vital artifact for collectors of anatomical illustration, early art education, and 18th‑century printing.
A Rare and Important Work ~ With its impressive folio scale, restored period binding, and complete suite of plates, this 1769 Anatomy of Painting is both a scholarly resource and a display‑worthy object. Copies of this edition are scarce in commerce, and examples in such appealing condition are particularly uncommon.
A superb addition to any collection of anatomical illustration, art history, or 18th‑century printing.
1769~The Anatomy of Painting ~John Brisbane, SUPER RARE with Albinus Engravings
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