£150
2 vols., 8vo, pp. viii, 463, [1]; [iv], 495, [1] + frontispiece. Contemporary prize calf by Riviere, boards bordered with double gilt rules, spine divided by raised bands, red and green morocco labels, other compartments tooled elaborately in gilt, edges gilt, marbled endpapers. Binding a little scratched and marked. Presentation message lettered direct in gilt to front boards: ‘Royal Academy of arts. To Miss Louise Starr For The Best Historical Painting, 1867’.
Louisa Canziani, née Starr (1845-1909) was the first woman to be awarded the Gold Medal for best historical painting at the Royal Academy Schools in 1867, for which she received a £50 scholarship and these volumes, boldly lettered across their front boards with her name and achievement. (The winning painting, 'David with the head of Goliath before Saul' sold at Bonhams in 2014 for £1750). She continued to paint and exhibit throughout her life, and examples of her work are held by the National Portrait Gallery and the British Museum.
