The art of painting in oyl: wherein is included each particular circumstance relating to the best and most approved rules for preparing, mixing, and working of oyl colours ...

Abstract

Originally published 1676. Given a long notice by Rosamond Harley, who states “in regard to the part on oil painting, it should be noted that John Smith was a clock-maker, and, consequently, a large part of his book is concerned with the painting of sun-dials and other outdoor objects. This point has to be kept in mind when considering his discussion of colours, as his procedure is likely to have differed from that of a portrait painter, for example. An interesting feature of the book is that, not only does the author write from his own experience, but in his references to the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society and Lemery’s System of Chymistry he reflects an awareness of scientific writings of the seventeenth century. Most of the recipes and manufacturing instructions are quoted from such sources, a fact which is acknowledged in the text.”