Lectures on painting, delivered at the Royal Academy : With additional observations and notes

These lectures, originally presented to the Royal Academy, offer a concise yet thorough overview of painting's technical foundations and its historical development. The speaker frames the material as a sketch of the great traditions, guiding listeners from the Renaissance masters to contemporary practice. Listeners will appreciate the clear aim of helping students locate the sources behind each principle.

Drawing on the writings of Leonardo, Dürer, and later commentators, the talks weave together elementary technique with critical historical insight. References to ancient authors such as Pausanias, Quintilian and Pliny illustrate how ideas of style and expression have evolved over centuries. The added observations and notes bring a modern perspective, highlighting where long‑standing theories succeed or fall short.

Designed for both the diligent student and the curious art lover, the series balances scholarly depth with practical guidance. Listeners are invited to compare the lecturer’s own conclusions with those of the great masters, forming their own judgments about what constitutes sound artistic doctrine. The result is an engaging journey through the lineage of painting, enriching any listener’s appreciation of visual art.