The preface explains that the text offers insights from experienced artists who have studied in Italy, discussing both the strengths and weaknesses of notable artworks. It details the approach for young artists to mimic nature through structured study and the importance of techniques like chiaroscuro in art composition. Additionally, it provides guidance on copying designs, including mechanical methods, to aid those less familiar with drawing.
PREFACE
Those who blindly and without any examination adopt what is presented here may be scandalized by seeing that we express our sentiments too freely on respectable monuments and by the fact that some faults have been pointed out. However, it is important to clarify that we express nothing personal in this chapter, and the judgments regarding these artistic marvels were communicated to us by artists of superior merit, who spent enough time in Italy to appreciate them at their true value and recognize both their faults and beauties. The outline figures found here were drawn on site and measured by order of the King to serve as instruction for students of the Academy, by J.B. Corneille, a famous painter, who also etched them in the manner shown here, which ensures the accuracy and precision of the measurements.
The sixth chapter includes the most useful guidelines for young designers to successfully imitate various natural creations. It teaches the order in which studies should be pursued, the essential knowledge a painter needs to achieve perfection in their art, and the appropriate times for model study and classical study. The necessity of early understanding of color techniques is explained, along with the magic of chiaroscuro, essential in a painting or a drawing, to enhance the composition. It discusses different kinds of draperies, the choice and arrangement of folds, and mannequin studies. Finally, it touches on the study of animals for truthful representation and moves on to landscapes, which, being infinitely diverse, require particular study and different work depending on the subjects represented.
The seventh chapter contains various methods or mechanical inventions for copying a design, which will be very useful to those who know very little or nothing about drawing. It teaches the techniques of pricking, tracing, and copying a design from a window, veil, etc., and discusses the reduction of large to small and vice versa, achieved through the use of grids drawn in equal numbers on the original and the copy.