The Farington Diary (Volume I)

Step into the studio, the street and the clubrooms of Georgian and Regency London through the eyes of a working artist at its heart. The Farington Diary (Volume I) is a candid Georgian era diary kept by Joseph Farington, Royal Academician and landscape painter, charting the rhythms of 18th century Britain as empire, art and society shift around him. Every entry feels startlingly alive. Conversations with painters and patrons, glimpses of court and coffee-house, and the backstage dramas of exhibitions form a vivid British artist diary, for fans of Pepys and anyone who wants to hear history in an unvarnished voice.First published long after Farington’s death, this foundational historical diary collection has become indispensable for British art history, royal academy history and the study of Georgian London society and Regency era London. From gossip about leading cultural figures to clear-eyed notes on politics, patronage and money, it serves as a rich primary source for researchers while remaining highly readable for British history lovers who prefer first-hand testimony to second-hand summary. No historian or collector of 18th century Britain can ignore the authority of these pages.Republished by Alpha Editions in a careful modern edition, this volume preserves the spirit of the original while making it effortless to enjoy today - a heritage title prepared for readers and collectors alike. Thoughtfully presented for the modern shelf, Farington Diary Volume 1 invites both casual readers and connoisseurs of classic diaries to keep company with one of Georgian England’s most observant witnesses.