A humorous take on the argot of art criticism. 8vo. With 12 hand-colored aquatint plates, including frontis, which is described as Plate V. The apercus of Alken, as he applies phrases others must have used to describe, praise and pan his own efforts, are singular in not being susceptible to easy description. However, he succeeds ably in capturing the pretentious tone of the critic in his elaboration of phrases such as "an imposing effect", "a sudden effect", "a warm effect". For most, the magic and fun is in the illustrations, in which he attempts to give literal a... View More...
Oblong, 14 by 9.5", 34 by 24.5 cm. With 42 comical Alken hand-colored plates, including the title page, all watermarked 1822 Thomas McLean. Tooley 57. Each plate contains several designs and accompanying captions. The format produces a liveliness on the page and contributes to the inimitable sense of movement so integral to Alken's art. With also an one page preface. Being Alken, many of the illustrations are of equine and/or sporting interest. The lampooning is highly visual. Sympathetically rebacked with half red morocco over marbled boards. The binding does have some shelfwear ... View More...
![Image for Symptoms of Being Amused Vol. 1 [all that was published]](/assets/images/product/7a9407c9b9e498f8c0621711bb58cd41.jpg)
