Buchanan, William: Memoirs of painting: with a chronological history of the importation of pictures by the great masters into England since the French Revolution (Band 1) (London: Ackermann, 1824)

INTRODUCTION.

xv

their precious stores, and were soon placed
on a par with those of Rome herself.
That the introduction of such interesting
objects into this country should be marked
by some chronological notice, while facts
and dates are still in the remembrance of
every lover of the art, is a matter which
may be deemed worthy of our notice and
attention;—to fix their history,—to ascer-
tain their origin,—is to enhance and to
ensure their value. With this view princi-
pally, the following pages have been thrown
together, as being likely to prove acceptable
to those, who may either now or in future
possess these objects ; while to the public in
general they will present a series of curious
and interesting documents, and will, in so
far as regards the fine arts, form a history
of our own times.
While the importation of works of art
into England since the period of the French