University of Virginia Library

---

A Reconstruction of Jefferson's
Fine Arts Library

It was Thomas Jefferson who originally selected and arranged
for the purchase of the fine arts books at the University
of Virginia. A few of the very volumes acquired by
Jefferson for the University's library have survived the
ravages of time and fire, and in recent years an effort has
been made to replace all books in the original group that
have not survived. Books ordered but never acquired are
also being searched for. Limited funds and limited opportunities
have left a list of works needed that is still a long
one, but a report on the projected reassembly is in order
for several reasons.

The chief object in publishing the list of desiderata
in its present form is to give interested persons the opportunity
of helping the University of Virginia in a reconstruction
that will have the greatest importance for future students
of the fine arts. Gifts of volumes needed, or of funds
for their purchase as the books appear on the market, will
be heartily welcomed.

The books still needed by the University are first listed,
in alphabetical order to facilitate easy checking. They are
listed in the present-day fashion of bibliographical citation
to show exactly which edition is needed.

Following the main desiderata list in an analysis of its
sources, with a brief historical sketch of Jefferson's efforts
to furnish the University of Virginia with a proper library
in the fine arts. Finally, there is appended a list of books
that have survived from the original Jeffersonian collection
in the fine arts, or have been added as replacements, or are

---

The combination of the two lists as they stand will be
of permanent interest to the student of Jeffersonian architecture.