The 11 essays, one being a short biographical outline, provide a companion to the 2005-06 exhibition catalogue and conference proceedings James Barry (1741-1806) the Great Historical Painter
and to the new edition of Barry's own Account of His Paintings in the RSA's "Great Room.". Art historians and other scholars consider such topics as the Society's promotion of high art in the
1760s, the third painting in Barry's series The Progress of Human Knowledge and Culture, and Barry's medal for the Society of Arts as a celebration of the three kingdoms. Appended is a
letter/journal entry recently discovered in which Susan Burney describes her visit to the Society with Barry in October 1779. Only names and titles are indexed. Distributed in the US by
Associated University Presses. Annotation 穢2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
