Moyen Universel De Pratiquer La Perspective Sur Les Tableaux, ou Surfaces Irregulieres. Ensemble Quelques particularitez concernant cet Art, & celuy de la Graveure en Taille-Douce. Par A. Bosse.
A Paris,: Chez ledit Bosse, en l'Isle du palais, sur le Quay qui regarde celuy de la Megisserie., M.DC.LIII. Avec Privilege Du Roy.
Physical Description
[2], [1]-[79], [1] p., frontis., [1], 31 pl. [carried on 16 leaves]; 177 mm. (Octavo).
General Note
The numbered plates are generally printed on successive rectos and versos. Plate 27 is a folding plate, pasted onto p. 75. Page 79 is misnumbered 75.
Contents
[T.-p., add. engr. t.-pl.] - Avertissement - [Text of chapters 1-13] - [T.-pl. for plates and explications] - [Plates, with explications] - Extraict du Privilege du Roy; Avertissement; Errata.
Responsibility Note
The plates are unsigned.
References
Abraham Bosse savant graveur [exhibition catalogue] (2004), nos. 275-278; National Gallery (Washington), Mark. J. Millard Architectural, I (1993), 33, p.76-7; A. Blum, L'oeuvre gravé d'Abraham Bosse (1924), 608-42; G. Duplessis, 'Catalogue de l'oeuvre d'Abraham Bosse', in Revue universelle des arts (1859), 716-50.
C. Goldstein, 'Studies in seventeenth century French art theory and ceiling painting', in Art Bulletin, XLVII (1965), p.231-56.
Summary Note
This work is a sequel to Bosse's expanded version of his Manière universelle de M. Desargues pour pratiquer la perspective (1648). Here he writes on the illusionistic projection of perspective onto ceilings and vaults. His insistence on the importance of perspective to painters brought him into conflict with Charles Le Brun, director of the Académie de Peinture et de Sculpture.
Provenance
Acquired betwen 1769 and 1802. Recorded in RAA Library, Catalogue, 1802.
Copy Note
There are underlinings and marginal marks in ink throughout, and French marginal notes on pages 4 and 34.
Binding Note
18th-century calf; rebacked in 20th century, red morocco spine-label lettered 'Bosse Sur La Perspective'.
Subject
Perspective - Illusionism - Ceilings
Manuals - Instructional materials - France - 17th century
Pictorial works - Etchings - France - 17th century