“Painful Exactness”: The Publications of the Society of Antiquaries of London during the Directorship of Richard Gough (1771–1797)

Abstract

Founded over three hundred years ago, the Society of Antiquaries of London exists to encourage the study of history—and, particularly, ancient objects and historic buildings. In the last quarter of the eighteenth century, a group of influential members aspired to improve the accuracy of recording ancient monuments, expand the publication of results, and campaign for the preservation of remains from the past. This essay examines, specifically, the revival of the Society’s print series Vetusta Monumenta in the 1780s and the issue of a new series of large format publications, known as the Cathedral Series. Richard Gough (1735–1809), the Society’s director in charge of publications from 1771 to 1797, was a key figure in these developments and shaped the new focus members of the Society paid to medieval art and architecture. Gough spearheaded the employment of competent draftsmen, such as John Carter (1748–1817) and Jacob Schnebbelie (1760–1792), as well as the engraver James Basire (1730–1802). Despite the limitations of techniques available, these artists succeeded in raising standards of archaeological recording and architectural draftsmanship upon which future generations could build.