Richardson, Jonathan; Egerton, Thomas [Bearb.]; Egerton, John [Bearb.]; Debrett, John [Bearb.]; Faulder, Robert [Bearb.]; Miller, W. [Bearb.]; Cuthell, J. [Bearb.]; Barker, James [Bearb.]; Jeffery, Edward [Bearb.]: The Works Of Jonathan Richardson: Containing I. The Theory Of Painting. II. Essay On The Art Of Criticism, (So far as it relates to Painting). III. The Science Of A Connoisseur : The Whole intended as a Supplement to the Anecdotes of Painters and Engravers ([London]: Sold by T. and J. Egerton; J. Debrett; R. Faulder, and W. Miller; J. Cuthell; J. Barker; and E. Jeffrey, 1792)

ON THE ART OF
CRITICIS M, &c.

I HAVE been often asked how we know the hands of the several
maslers, and distinguish copies from originals; and was persuaded,
a satisfa&ory answer to these questions would be very acceptable to
most gentlemen, as well as to those particular enquirers; to gratify
the public therefore, together with such of my own sriends, I was
determined to take this way of answering them all at once, and that
more fully, and accurately than could possibly have been done off-
hand, and in the time I could have bellowed in making particular
answers; this moreover, together with what else I shall add in this
diseourse, I saw would compleat what I had to offer on the subje&
I had already given the world some of my thoughts upon.
1 will only plead one piece of merit, which I pretend to have
with the public, and that is, that I have made a new acquisition for
the commonwealth of letters; I believe this is the only book
extant upon the subjcH. Apelles wrote many volumes upon
Painting, perhaps among them something might be laid on the
knowledge of hands, and how to distinguish copies from originals,
but