Principles

encompasses an infinity of parts, such as muscle effect, body balance, accuracy of action, proportion of parts, purity of line, character of heads, knowledge of antiques, expression of passions, variety of poses, beauty of groups, etc., which would be too lengthy to cover here. For such matters, reference can be made to the method for learning to draw by Jombert, cited above, or to the painting treatises of Leonardo da Vinci, Bernard du Puy du Grez, de Piles, du Frénoy, Wattelet, Dandré Bardon, etc.

It is hardly possible to give young students examples capable of guiding them in the talent of composition: this art depends on the genius of the draftsman and the nature of the subjects they intend to represent. However, it must be admitted that viewing the works of great Masters can inflame their imagination and inspire them with happy ideas. It was with this intention, after the studies of heads, feet, hands, and entire academy figures, shown in the first forty-eight plates of this collection, that we thought to offer young students, in the following forty-eight pages, several examples of compositions extremely varied in all sorts of subjects; the majority of these sheets contain vignettes, ornaments, etc., designed and engraved by the famous Mr. Cochin, whose merit is so well-known that his name alone suffices to arouse the curiosity of artists and enlightened amateurs. Some productions by various other artists in all sorts of genres have been included, of which the large

Translation Notes

- "dessein" translated as "draw" could also mean "intention" or "plan."

- "fleurons" typically refers to ornamental designs or embellishments.