DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.20658#0012
PREFACE.
In distributing the several Subjects treated in the Work, the following- arrange-
ment has been adopted ; as denoting- the order in which the more abstruse and
difficult naturally proceed from the more simple and practicable.
In Boor I. (page 1.) are given descriptions of the several Implements used in
Drawing in general; and to the judgement of the preceptor, perhaps of the pupil
himself, must be left the selection of those particular articles which are the most
necessary for a Student, in the different branches of Art, and in the different stages
of his progress. Next comes a series of Lessons in the several branches of
Drawing. The Anatomical explanations are indispensable for the instruction of
Artists in a department but too much neglected, and in which many Painters of
high reputation have been lamentably deficient. Without a perfect knowledge of
the structure of the human body, how can a figure be correctly drawn or designed?
how can attitudes, gestures, motions, or actions be naturally—that is truly repre-
sented? The greater part of mankind, it is true, and even of those who possess
or affect a taste for the beauties of Painting and the sister-art—Sculpture, are
deficient in Anatomical skill: by such persons therefore many palpable errors
of outline and attitude may escape censure. Surely however, no artist, no young
artist particularly, who burns with eagerness to surpass his competitors, and to
advance in the path to distinction and fame, will rest contented with the idea that
his productions have passed without condemnation, merely because his judges had
not skill sufficient to discover his faults. It is in the Fine Arts, as in morals, far
more honourable and gratifying to receive the commendation of the able and the
candid few, than the applause of the ignorant and the undistinguishing multitude.
Book II. (page 109.) treats at some length of Painting-of its history and
progress-of its component parts, and the various ways in which it is performed;
as well as of the several purposes to which it is applied, for the utility and the
enjoyments of social life. Under the same general head are contained observations
on the Nature, the Composition, and the Application of various colouring substances.
Book III. (page 318.) contains an account of the several operations performed
in Engraving and Etching on copper-plates ; and of the different implements and
materials employed in those operations. Pictures of merit and value must ever be
confined to the great and the opulent; nor are even copies of such works numerous
or of easy acquisition. By the admirable invention of Engraving, in its various
branches, imitations of the noblest productions of the pencil are brought within the
reach of individuals of very moderate fortune. By their size alone, independently
of
In distributing the several Subjects treated in the Work, the following- arrange-
ment has been adopted ; as denoting- the order in which the more abstruse and
difficult naturally proceed from the more simple and practicable.
In Boor I. (page 1.) are given descriptions of the several Implements used in
Drawing in general; and to the judgement of the preceptor, perhaps of the pupil
himself, must be left the selection of those particular articles which are the most
necessary for a Student, in the different branches of Art, and in the different stages
of his progress. Next comes a series of Lessons in the several branches of
Drawing. The Anatomical explanations are indispensable for the instruction of
Artists in a department but too much neglected, and in which many Painters of
high reputation have been lamentably deficient. Without a perfect knowledge of
the structure of the human body, how can a figure be correctly drawn or designed?
how can attitudes, gestures, motions, or actions be naturally—that is truly repre-
sented? The greater part of mankind, it is true, and even of those who possess
or affect a taste for the beauties of Painting and the sister-art—Sculpture, are
deficient in Anatomical skill: by such persons therefore many palpable errors
of outline and attitude may escape censure. Surely however, no artist, no young
artist particularly, who burns with eagerness to surpass his competitors, and to
advance in the path to distinction and fame, will rest contented with the idea that
his productions have passed without condemnation, merely because his judges had
not skill sufficient to discover his faults. It is in the Fine Arts, as in morals, far
more honourable and gratifying to receive the commendation of the able and the
candid few, than the applause of the ignorant and the undistinguishing multitude.
Book II. (page 109.) treats at some length of Painting-of its history and
progress-of its component parts, and the various ways in which it is performed;
as well as of the several purposes to which it is applied, for the utility and the
enjoyments of social life. Under the same general head are contained observations
on the Nature, the Composition, and the Application of various colouring substances.
Book III. (page 318.) contains an account of the several operations performed
in Engraving and Etching on copper-plates ; and of the different implements and
materials employed in those operations. Pictures of merit and value must ever be
confined to the great and the opulent; nor are even copies of such works numerous
or of easy acquisition. By the admirable invention of Engraving, in its various
branches, imitations of the noblest productions of the pencil are brought within the
reach of individuals of very moderate fortune. By their size alone, independently
of