ADELINE'S ART DICTIONARY

An index of terms used in Art, Architecture, Heraldry, and Archaeology

TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH AND ENLARGED

LONDON, J. S. VIRTUE AND CO., LIMITED, 1891

INTRODUCTION.

Although Adeline's name appears on the title‑page of this Dictionary, there will be found within its pages a large number of definitions and numerous illustrations which are not contained in that work. While nothing that has made M. Jules Adeline's "Lexique des Termes d'Art" so excellent an authority has been omitted, a large amount of information has been incorporated from Mr. F. W. Fairholt's "Dictionary of Terms in Art." The publishers do not doubt of the reception that will be given to a work based on these authorities, and also thoroughly revised and brought up to date by an expert who has spent some years over the task.

For instance, take the word 'Academy:" First we find the origin of the word from a grove in Athens, where Plato taught, named after a local hero named Academus; then the modern definition ‑ any society of litterateurs, scientific men, or artists; then an account of the first Academy of Art established in Europe, and so on to an account of the formation of the Institute of France. Under the separate heading of Royal Academy we find a succinct account of our own Royal Academy, its foundation in 1768 by George III., and its objects. Finally, under the heading of Academician we are told how that name is applied in England with respect to the members of the Royal Academy.

The plan includes all such terms as are generally employed in painting, sculpture, engraving, and architecture, whether descriptive of real objects, or the principles of action which rule the mind and guide the hand of the artist. It thus comprises the Aesthetics of Art, as well as their practical results. But, as it is desirable to make this a useful hand‑book for all persons interested in Art, such terms, ancient or modern, as are used in describing the contents of a museum or picture‑gallery, are here explained. Thus, the technical terms for antique vases, or medieval pottery; sacred and domestic implements; as well as for civil and military costume, armour, arms, etc., are described; everything which forms the component part of a picture, or may be included in its description; notices of the various schools of Art, and of public picture‑galleries in England; an analysis of colours and artistic implements; descriptions of ornamental woods or precious stones; of the saints and their symbols; such manufacturing processes as call Art to their aid, or such terms in architecture and the cognate arts as are necessarily used in general Art.

To give a concise definition of all the terms used in Painting, Sculpture, Architecture, Etching, Engraving, Heraldry ‑ in fact, in everything connected with Art ‑ that is the aim of the present book. It is not intended that with its possession the student should altogether dispense with large and exhaustive works especially devoted to the subject; but he will find within these pages definitions, concise but to the point, sufficient for all ordinary purposes, of every term connected with the theory and the practice of Art.