Biographical Dictionary of Engravers

The Biographical Dictionary of Engravers, published in 1785-6, contains over 500 entries documenting the lives and works of printmakers and engravers from ancient times through the 18th century. The two-volume reference work represents Joseph Strutt's attempt to create a comprehensive catalog of known engravers and their artistic contributions. Each biographical entry provides details about the artist's nationality, time period, notable works, and technical abilities. Strutt includes examples of engravings and prints to illustrate the various styles and techniques discussed. The dictionary contains extensive coverage of both well-known masters and lesser-documented practitioners of engraving arts across Europe and beyond. The entries range from brief paragraphs to multi-page spreads depending on the historical significance and available information about each artist. This work stands as an early example of systematic art historical documentation, demonstrating the growing interest in preserving and analyzing printmaking traditions during the Enlightenment period. The dictionary's scholarly approach helped establish standards for future reference works about artistic practices and practitioners.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Joseph Strutt's overall work: Modern readers primarily know Strutt through his historical reference works. His books receive limited reviews online, as they are mainly consulted by scholars and costume researchers. Readers appreciate: - Detailed illustrations and engravings of historical clothing - Comprehensive documentation of medieval English customs - Primary source value for historical research - Clear organization of material by time period - Inclusion of both common and noble dress Common criticisms: - Dense, academic writing style - Outdated language hard to parse for modern readers - Limited availability of complete editions - High cost of quality reproductions - Some illustrations lack clarity in modern reprints Review data is sparse. On Goodreads, "Dress and Habits of the People of England" has only 3 ratings with an average of 4.0/5. "Sports and Pastimes" shows 5 ratings averaging 3.8/5. Amazon reviews are minimal, mostly from academic buyers noting the reference value. One costume historian reviewer noted: "Strutt's attention to fabric details and construction remains remarkably accurate compared to surviving garments."

A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects by Howard Colvin Provides chronological entries of architects from 1600-1840 with details on their works, commissions, and contributions to British architecture.

The Print Before Photography by Antony Griffiths Documents the technical and historical development of printmaking through profiles of master engravers and their innovations.

Dictionary of British Art Volume IV: Victorian Painters by Christopher Wood Lists biographical information for over 11,000 Victorian era artists with their exhibition histories and known works.

Lives of the Most Eminent British Painters by Allan Cunningham Chronicles British painters from the medieval period through the 19th century with details of their training, patrons, and major works.

British Printmakers 1855-1955 by Frank Rinder Catalogs printmakers of the Victorian and Edwardian eras with entries on their techniques, studio locations, and significant prints.

🔹 Joseph Strutt (1749-1802) learned engraving as an apprentice to William Wynne Ryland, who was later hanged for forgery - making Strutt the last apprentice of this notorious but talented engraver 🔹 The Biographical Dictionary of Engravers (1785-86) was the first comprehensive English-language reference work about printmakers and their art, containing over 500 entries 🔹 Each entry includes examples of the artist's monogram or signature mark, helping collectors and historians authenticate prints - a revolutionary feature at the time 🔹 Strutt personally examined thousands of prints in private collections across England to compile the work, making detailed notes about technique and style 🔹 The book remains valuable today because it preserves information about many 18th-century engravers whose works have since been lost or destroyed