Thesis (Ph.D.)--Boston University / A scholarly treatise on art, written by an American artist in the first half of the nineteenth century, and almost completely ignored in the history of American art and thought, provided the original incentive for the study of Washington Allston as critic. An additional incentive derived from the paradox of a reputation which was phenomenal in the artist's lifetime, but which had deteriorated almost to a nullity by the end of the century in which he lived. An examination of the reputation and influence of Allston as critic, and an effort to trace the development of his thought, involved a scrutiny of biographical material available in legal documents, manuscript notes, correspondence, memorabilia, biographies and biographical sketches; references to the artist in newspapers, magazines and literary works; an examination of American criticism; and the history of criticism and of American thought, with particular reference to the developments in New England. [TRUNCATED]