Dilettanti

With elegance and wit, this volume recreates the vibrant culture of connoisseurship in Enlightenment England by investigating the multifaceted activities and achievements of the Society of Dilettanti – a group founded in 1732 devoted to the study, and support of those studying, Greco-Roman antiquity. "Dilettanti" is a superbly illustrated volume that examines its members, and their expeditions, collections, and publications – which laid the groundwork for the Neo-Classical revival. It also shows how they were able to successfully combine the didactic – detailed investigations into technique, condition, restoration and provenance – with the ability to bring illustrations of ancient sculpture to new artistic heights.