DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.25563#0011
INTRODUCTORY NOTE.
BY J. E. CABOT.
[These prefatory remarks were written down at Dr. Rimmer’s request, and are now
printed by his wish, as indicating, in a general way, his intention in the treatise of
which this volume is a part.]
The object of the following pages is to exemplify in its rudi-
ments a method of teaching to draw, which is founded on the
idea that Drawing does not signify merely an imitation of
forms, but that it aims mainly to reproduce expression, — the
effect that immediately results from the sight of the object,
and seems to belong to it primarily, irrespective of use, asso-
ciation, or other secondary or imparted value. Of course, the
first requisite is an ability to feel expression, — a sense for
the dumb language of lines and surfaces. The eye is not of
itself enough for seeing, any more than the hand is enough
for drawing.
All art, from the most rudimentary attempts, presupposes
this higher sense to be to some extent awakened ; and it is
to the interest thus created that it appeals. But the sense
may exist, and may be sufficiently developed to be recognized
as the source of an occasional satisfaction more or less vivid,
and yet remain vague and dim, like the vision of those ani-
mals whose eyes are covered by a membrane that permits
BY J. E. CABOT.
[These prefatory remarks were written down at Dr. Rimmer’s request, and are now
printed by his wish, as indicating, in a general way, his intention in the treatise of
which this volume is a part.]
The object of the following pages is to exemplify in its rudi-
ments a method of teaching to draw, which is founded on the
idea that Drawing does not signify merely an imitation of
forms, but that it aims mainly to reproduce expression, — the
effect that immediately results from the sight of the object,
and seems to belong to it primarily, irrespective of use, asso-
ciation, or other secondary or imparted value. Of course, the
first requisite is an ability to feel expression, — a sense for
the dumb language of lines and surfaces. The eye is not of
itself enough for seeing, any more than the hand is enough
for drawing.
All art, from the most rudimentary attempts, presupposes
this higher sense to be to some extent awakened ; and it is
to the interest thus created that it appeals. But the sense
may exist, and may be sufficiently developed to be recognized
as the source of an occasional satisfaction more or less vivid,
and yet remain vague and dim, like the vision of those ani-
mals whose eyes are covered by a membrane that permits