Definition of the Picture in Natural Drawing

Before starting to draw from nature, a collection of objects forming what we commonly call a picture, it is important to clearly define what we mean by this term, which we can employ in two different circumstances:
1. A picture refers to the collection of objects that can be encompassed by the observer's eye. It is assumed that this eye is held constantly in the same direction to define the limits of the space the eye can encompass.
2. A picture can also be called the representation of this collection of objects encompassed by the eye, executed using drawing and painting techniques, etc.

Drawing an Interior from Nature

When drawing an interior from nature, one should draw only what is visible without turning the head. After choosing the side to be drawn, move away as much as possible, keeping the head straight and still, to see the extent of objects the eye can encompass from left to right.
One may allow oneself to turn the eyes. Strictly speaking, this should not be done according to the definition of the viewpoint: "which is exactly in front of the middle of the eye." If the eye changes direction, the viewpoint also changes place. However, for the eye to stay fixed and immobile, to fully encompass the three sides of an interior, a room, for example, one must be able to move away from this room to a distance equal to three times the largest dimension of the room, which is impossible, since the fourth side of the room is behind you. This rule could only be strictly observed when drawing a gallery that is entirely open, at least on the side where the observer is located.
In the first case, one might draw an interior from nature, as if composing by assuming a convenient distance. However, to operate in this manner, one should have studied the entire treatise on Perspective.
For example, consider figure 1, plate 6. The observer is supposed to be positioned at one end of the room facing the fireplace. Keeping the head still, from this position, they would draw the square at the far end, represented here by two points A and B. By slightly turning their eyes, they would see the right side with windows and an equal part of the left side, where, for example, paintings are located, etc. First, determine the point at which the picture is stopped on each side that is visible and that one seeks to reproduce. On each side, this limit will be marked by some object, a window, a molding, furniture, etc. Suppose the observer sees here on the left side, up to the wall, a little ahead of the chair; and, on the right side, up to a short distance ahead of the first of two windows. They will mark on each side the points where the picture stops, for example, points A and B. These two points are located, relative to the observer, on a plane called the foreground of the picture or the plane closest to the observer. The line drawn from point A to point B is called the ground line. This ground line will be found in the interior to be drawn, either by placing a sufficiently long ruler, or a ribbon, joining the two points of the floor, A and B, which are the starting points, the two extremities of the foreground. The portion of the ceiling to be represented will then be determined by a line D'C, which will be parallel and plumb above the ground line that has been found. Thus, assuming lines are drawn from A to D, from B to C, and from C to D, one has a kind of frame ABCD, enclosing the entire picture.

* See our treatise on Simplified Perspective.

Translation Notes

- "Point de vue": Literally "point of view," in the context of art, refers to viewpoint or vantage point.
- "Tableau": In this context, refers to both the physical collection of objects a viewer sees and its artistic representation.