The Emergence of the Professional Watercolourist

'An impressive text that will powerfully influence the direction of scholarship in late eighteenth-century early nineteenth-century art.' Mark Hallett, University of York 'Greg Smith's book is the first full-length account to look in any detail at the complex range of issues surrounding the establishment of the Society, and, as such, is to be welcomed wholeheartedly... while Pyne's influence on later writers, we now realise, had been practically all-pervading, Smith's aim is to step out of his critical shadow and introduce new terms of reference.' Timothy Wilcox, British Music writing in the Burlington Magazine '(a) fascinating and rewarding book ... a book to savour and enjoy ... welcome for its portrayal of economic and social conditions of the time...' The Artist 'This is a fascinating contribution to the social history of British art. By showing the way in which artists adept in various practices contributed to the rise of watercolour, and by focussing on the politics inherent in the rivalry between the protagonists of the "new" medium and the old guard of the Royal Academy, Dr Smith shows how important questions about the nature of "high" and "popular" were asked and answered then, questions that are still being posed today.' The Art Newspaper 'This deeply impressive study will surely be referred to as a standard work on this topic of many years.' Adrian Lewis, The Art Book