DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1041#0145
1x6 History of the Society of "Dilettanti
Further
enterprises:
new "Publi-
cation
Cotnmittee.
' Specimens
of Antient
Sculpture'
Hellenic art and culture, the true source of which
was to be found alone on the soil of Greece, the
Greek provinces of Asia Minor, or the islands of the
Archipelago. The great works of Stuart and Revett,
which the Dilettanti encouraged and assisted, the
Ionian Antiquities of Chandler, Revett, and Pars,
for which they were entirely responsible, remain as
the basis from which all classical archaeologists
have since worked.
Together with this honourable record of work
accomplished, the Society, as the century drew to an
end, found themselves in possession of an incentive
to new exertions in the shape of a comfortable
balance of about £10,000 in hand. Accordingly
they decided to embark on further ventures in the
domain of classical archaeology. On Feb. 10, 1799,
a motion was made and seconded
e That a New Committee of Publication be appointed.'
At a ballot held on March 3 the new committee
was constituted, its members being Mr. Knight,
Mr. Windham, Mr. Peachey, Mr. Townley, and Sir
Henry Englefield. It promptly commenced work
on a publication of a new kind, the object of which
was to illustrate and make known the choicest
specimens of ancient sculpture which had been
acquired by members of the Society abroad, and now
adorned their private mansions in England.
On May 10, 1799, the committee resolved
'That Mr. Townley and Mr. Knight do inquire for proper
engravers, and put a certain number of the drawings now selected
into their hands to be engraved during the summer; and also do
employ draughtsmen to make additional drawings from the different
collections of antiquities in London, giving draughts upon the
Treasurer of the Society for the work as it is executed, not exceed-
ing in the whole the sum of ;£aco till further orders.'
Further
enterprises:
new "Publi-
cation
Cotnmittee.
' Specimens
of Antient
Sculpture'
Hellenic art and culture, the true source of which
was to be found alone on the soil of Greece, the
Greek provinces of Asia Minor, or the islands of the
Archipelago. The great works of Stuart and Revett,
which the Dilettanti encouraged and assisted, the
Ionian Antiquities of Chandler, Revett, and Pars,
for which they were entirely responsible, remain as
the basis from which all classical archaeologists
have since worked.
Together with this honourable record of work
accomplished, the Society, as the century drew to an
end, found themselves in possession of an incentive
to new exertions in the shape of a comfortable
balance of about £10,000 in hand. Accordingly
they decided to embark on further ventures in the
domain of classical archaeology. On Feb. 10, 1799,
a motion was made and seconded
e That a New Committee of Publication be appointed.'
At a ballot held on March 3 the new committee
was constituted, its members being Mr. Knight,
Mr. Windham, Mr. Peachey, Mr. Townley, and Sir
Henry Englefield. It promptly commenced work
on a publication of a new kind, the object of which
was to illustrate and make known the choicest
specimens of ancient sculpture which had been
acquired by members of the Society abroad, and now
adorned their private mansions in England.
On May 10, 1799, the committee resolved
'That Mr. Townley and Mr. Knight do inquire for proper
engravers, and put a certain number of the drawings now selected
into their hands to be engraved during the summer; and also do
employ draughtsmen to make additional drawings from the different
collections of antiquities in London, giving draughts upon the
Treasurer of the Society for the work as it is executed, not exceed-
ing in the whole the sum of ;£aco till further orders.'