Science Art Technology Vol III Age of Enlightenment Encyclopedia Howard's 1788 Antique Print

Frontispiece Howard's New Encyclopedia, or Complete dictionary of Arts & Sciences Technology 1788

Antique copperplate engraving by George Noble (fl. late 18th/ early 19th) after William Chalmers for George Selby Howard's "The New Royal Encyclopedia, and Cyclopaedia; or, Complete Modern and Universal Dictionary of Arts and Sciences: On an Entire New and Improved Plan, and Including all the Modern Improvements and Latest Discoveries on the Various Subjects. Containing a New, Full, Complete, General, Accurate, and Copious Digest and Display of the whole Theory and Practice of the Liberal and Mechanical Arts; &c. "

Published by Alexander Hogg, Paternoster Row, London c.1788

Condition= Good. Incomplete plate mark on left hand side. Evidence of past mold that has been cleaned / disinfected 

Size of image= 22.6  x 33cm

The Frontispiece to the first volume visually ties together the elements of the Age of Enlightenment and the advances in technology during the Industrial Revolution: "Explanation. It represents  a General Inside View of the Temple of Arts & Sciences- The Principal Figure by the Orrery is a philosopher pointing out to hi s students the Revolutions of the Heavenly Bodies. To the left hand are the Genii of Poetry & Music, near to whom is Fortification studying tactics and the Mathematical Problems, which a  learner is carefully examining .In the middle is Religion majestically seated with the scriptures before her, and the emblem of mortality by her feet. On her left is the figure of Oratory. In other parts of this copper engraving are emblematic representations of their branches of the Arts & Sciences, such as sculpture, Ship Building, Fencing, Botany, Alchemy, Aerostation &c And the foreground is a Cast of the Farnesian Hercules together with Basso Relievo of Herculaneum." (To the right we have portraits of 'Angelo', 'Cicero'...)