A Treatise Of The Theory and Practice Of Perspective. Wherein The Principles of that most useful Art, as laid down by Dr. Brook Taylor, are fully and clearly explained, by Means of moveable Schemes, properly adapted for that Purpose. The whole being designed as An Easy Introduction to the Art of Drawing in Perspective, And Illustrated by a great Variety of Curious and Instructive Examples, Engraved by the Author. ... By Daniel Fournier, Drawing Master, and Teacher of Perspective. The Second Edition, Corrected, and greatly Enlarged.
London,: Printed for the Author, and sold at his House, in Wilde-court, near Great Queen-street, Lincoln's Inn Fields: Also by Mr. Nourse, Bookseller to His Majesty, in the Strand., MDCCLXIV.
Physical Description
vii, [i], 94 p., 51 pl. (2 dble. and fold.); 276 mm. (Quarto).
General Note
The double, folding plates are numbers 50 and 51. Some plates have earlier numbers scored out or partly erased (pl. 4, 5, 13, 14, 17, 26, 36, 42, 50, 51). Plate 47 seems to be misnumbered 48.
Contents
[T.p.] - A List Of Subscribers - The Preface - Table, Shewing where to find the Explanation of every Plate - [Text] - [Plates].
Responsibility Note
The title page states that the plates are engraved by the author. Plates 40, 41, 42, 44, 50 and 51 are signed as engraved by him, and pl. 45 upper figure is signed as designed and made by him.
References
RIBA, Early printed books, 2 (1995), 1105.
ESTC, T140974
Summary Note
The text and plates fall into two parts - 'Of Linear Perspective' (plates 1-11 - of which plates 3, 6 and 7 have moveable overlays), and 'Of Practical Perspective' (plates 12-51, including six full-page etched landscapes without sight-lines (pl. 40, 41, 43, 44, 50, 51)).
Reproductions
An electronic reproduction was published in 2003 (Farmington Hills, Mich.: Thomson Gale). A microfilm version was published in 1986 (Woodbridge, CT: Research Publications).
Provenance
Purchased by 1780. Recorded in RAA Library, Catalogue, 1802.
Binding Note
18th-century sprinkled calf, upper cover gilt-stamped with royal arms of Britain and 'R.A.'; rebacked in 20th century, red morocco spine-label lettered 'Fournier's Perspectiv'.
Subject
Perspective
Manuals - Great Britain - 18th century
Pictorial works - Armorial bindings - Great Britain - 18th century