The artist as original genius

"This book examines the first generation of artists in Britain to define themselves as history painters, attempting what then was considered to be art's most exalted category. Seizing on the new critical discourse of original genius as championed in new books such as Edward Young's Conjectures on Original Composition of 1759, they rejected tradition in favor of looking to "the god within." In reconfiguring the nature of history painting, they went on to redefine the role of the artist as well. In doing so, they heralded the beginnings of the Romantic movement."--Jacket.