The text describes a technique called "capturing with a veil" used for copying large paintings without damaging the original. It involves using a fine silk veil stretched on a frame, through which the painting is visible. Artists trace the lines with a special chalk, then transfer them to another surface, all while ensuring no harm is done to the original artwork.
Method for Learning
How to Capture a Painting with a Veil
One cannot trace a painting to copy it, nor duplicate it when it is somewhat large; thus, other quick and sure methods have been sought to transfer the drawing of a painting onto a wall or printed canvas. Here is one such method, which is commonly used and is quite convenient, causing no harm to the original. This method is called capturing with a veil.
A very fine and tightly woven black silk crepe or veil is chosen, although it should allow one to easily see all objects through it, as required by practice. A strip of cloth or other thin fabric is sewn around this veil, which is then stretched on a wooden frame so that the veil is completely clear.
To use it, the stretched crepe is applied over the painting to be copied. As it is easy to see everything represented on the painting through this crepe or veil, one traces all the lines with a piece of moderately hard, pointed white chalk. The chalk wears down quickly when rubbed against the silk threads, so it must be sharpened often, especially if it's a delicate work. Once everything is traced, the crepe is carefully lifted from the painting without shaking it and is placed lightly on the canvas where the copy is to be made, as will be explained later.
Once the crepe is lifted from the original painting, the entire painting is lightly rubbed with a dry, white cloth to remove the dust caused by the chalk, which...
Translation Notes: "Prendre au voile" is a specific technique involving using a veil for tracing.