Necessary Warning

for the Understanding of this Treatise.

Everyone knows that a beautiful hairstyle greatly helps in showing off a fine figure, and that a flowing style adds great charm to a written work. However, my goal here is not to employ sophisticated terms or speak of those extraordinary events well-known to historians, to elaborate them for those who love Drawing, its excellence, strength, and power. Rather, I aim for the benefit and instruction of my readers, and it is in this direction that I have turned my efforts. This has been the reason for my long hesitation on how to present this small work, to encourage people to receive it, read it, and benefit from it in an easy and convenient way. Truly, I thought I could do no better than follow the example of so many skillful writers of our century who have so nobly treated the same subject, though they might have overlooked some very useful things; but this is to be expected, since this Art is so vast, one can never fully possess it or describe it in all its extent. Perhaps my readers will find it strange that, persuaded of this, I dared to embark on such an undertaking myself. Yet, always driven by the spirit of Painting, as I had outlined the Plan in my good fortune, I believed that the surest way to relieve my troubles was to execute it as best I could, within the limited scope of my own genius. It was not that the idea that came to mind – considering the various authors who have published the same things in different terms – prevented the execution of my project; on the contrary, to avoid falling into the same fault, I adopted a new approach and had something new to offer the Public. Despite all this, I do not doubt that many people will find me guilty of what I criticize in others here; but I will easily console myself, since Heaven has granted me the strength to overcome more severe trials. The singular loss of my life seemed to form a significant obstacle, removing all hope of succeeding in my design; yet penetrated by the beauties of such a noble Art, I feel almost ready to do the impossible, and nothing can deter me from offering to those who wish to advance in this field a Guide as reliable as I can make it.

Translation Notes: "Coeffure" is translated as "hairstyle," referring to the adornment that enhances physical appearance. The word "Dessein" can be translated as "Drawing" or "Design" referring to the broader art form. "Peinture" directly translates to "Painting," denoting visual art in a broader sense.