Renowned American painter (1778–1860) regarded as one of the finest portrait artists of his day, most famous for his paintings of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Fantastic AMS, signed and titled on the front cover, “The Fine Arts, by Rembrandt Peale,” 38 pages, 7.75 x 12.75, no date but circa 1839. Peale’s draft for a lecture to be given on the fine arts, consisting of 27 pages, followed by 11 pages of his notes, again titled and signed at the top of the first page, “Lecture on the Fine Arts by Rembrandt Peale.” In part: “The Fine Arts comprehend Painting, Sculpture, Engraving & Architecture; to which some persons add Music, the Drama & Gardening…A taste for architecture has been rapidly spreading in our country; & Latrobe’s Capitol, now being enlarged to an Imperial grandeur; Walter’s exquisite Girard College, and numerous examples of Gothic architecture, are differing principles of the purest taste, enslaved to no exclusive system, but leaving to architecture the same liberty of expression, that is allowed in the variations & Refinements of language…Painting is an art that demands many requirements. The artist must see all forms accurately in their boundaries and proportions, and be able readily to transfer them to his canvas. He must understand the laws which regulate their lights, shadows & reflexions [sic], and must learn to compound his tints with skill from the crude materials of his palette.” Throughout, Peale has amended the text by writing on a separate slip and pasting it into the paragraph. The manuscript is loosely bound in its original wraps. Includes an attractive custom-made leatherbound clamshell case. Some scattered creases, toning, and soiling (most significantly to the first page), otherwise fine condition. In addition to being a prominent artist in his own right, Peale was one of its greatest proponents—he played a central role in the development of institutions such as the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, the National Academy of Design, and the American Academy of Fine Arts. This thoughtfully prepared essay is especially significant, as it is not only a lengthy treatise by Peale but lends great insight into the status of the arts in America during the mid-19th century. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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