The Artist's Repository and Drawing Magazine, Exhibiting the Principles of the Polite Arts in their Various Branches (Four Volumes)
London: C. Taylor, 1785 - 1788. Hardcover. Brown uniform linen with leather labels on spines. Vol. I: engraved title page. viii, 214 pp. + 73 engraved plates. Vol. II: engraved title page. iv, 225 pp. + 69 engraved plates. Vol. III: engraved title page. iv, 188 pp. + 48 engraved plates. Vol. IV: engraved titled page. 132 pp. + 23 engraved plates, eight are handcolored. Good+ (one volume (2) has dampstaining that is very light to moderate on most pages due to a recent flooding, but no pages have stuck and the item is still quite usable and appealing). Item #26836
Prepared by Francis Fitzgerald. Volumes intended as instruction books for art students. The books also include lectures meant to refine the taste of the mature art lover. Vol. I: The lectures include, "Introductory, being an historical sketch of the progress of the arts", "A view of their excellence and utility, with thought upon genius", "of the materials for drawings, and method of using them, with hints upon beauty", "of the human figure, its divisions, and proportions of the head", "of character of the head", "of expression of the head", "of proportions of the figure", and "of character and expression of the figure". Vol. II (perspective): "on the nature of perspective", "elements of the practice", "perspective of shadows", "perspective of the human figure", "historical sketch (of architecture)"; and "general principles (of architecture)". Vol. III: first section is a "compendium of colors and other materials used in the arts of drawing, painting, engraving, etc., in their various branches, with remarks on their natures and uses". Second section, "a dictionary of principles, and terms of art, adopted in the arts of design, in their various branches with explanatory remarks and observations". Vol. IV: miscellaneous reviews, and essays on criticism and individual artists.
Price: $550.00