An introduction to perspective, drawing, and painting in a series of pleasing and familiar dialogues between the author's children : illustrated by appropriate plates and diagrams, and a sufficiency of practical geometry : and a compendium of genuine instruction ...

Introduction

TO

IN A SERIES OF

Pleasing and Familiar Dialogues

between the author’s children;

Illustrated by appropriate Plates and Diagrams, and a Sufficiency of

practical <0comettp*

AND

A COMPENDIUM OF GENUINE INSTRUCTION,

COMPRISING A

Progressive and complete Body of Information,

Carefully adapted for the Instruction of Females,

AND SUITED

Equally to the Simplicity of Youth and to mental Maturity.

WITHOUT TRUE GENIUS, VAINLY YOU ASPIRE ! WITHOUT SOUND ELEMENTS, IN VAIN YOUR FIRE !

Mr. 5AYTER,

Portrait Painter, in Miniature and Crayons,

AND

Teacher of the Principal Elements of the Art.

THE SECOND EDITION, CONSIDERABLY ENLARGED AND IMPROVED.

Sunbelt :

PUBLISHED BY BLACK, PARRY, AND CO. leadenhall street;

SOLD ALSO BY EGERTON, WHITEHALL; LINDSELL, CORNER OF WIGMORE AND WIMPOLE-STREETS, CAVENDISH SQUARE ; AND BY THE AUTHOR, 60, WELLS STREET, OXFORD STREET.

A/C

hs-o

H4-Z

THE J. PAUL

£• V.'L'2EUM LIBRARY preface*

Those who have attained eminence in any accomplishment, are qualified to pass an equal degree of judgment on subjects which lie within the sphere of their attainment.

To such as are thus qualified, I submit the following work, solicitous ©f their sanction and approbation. It is a most encouraging foundation for my hope, to know that there never was an apostate to the science of perspective ; and those only are on the negative side, who have not discovered its beauty — silence is all I claim from them.

How mortifying it is to observe the prevailing antipathy to geometrical illustration, especially among those whose professional success so materially depends on this branch of elementary knowledge ; and even supporting their objections, by arguments as opposite to excellence as they are to reason and truth ! One can hardly compose the mind to so gentle a sensation as pity for one who, wrapt in hyperbole, disavows the necessity of geometrical knowledge ; by declaring that “ Genius having wings , can assume any region, passing over all boundaries, and ascending all heights, “without the mechanical aid of keys and ladders it surely would try the temper of an Epictetus, to see, from the hand of such a son of Dcedalus, the colouring almost of a Titian ; on a picture as absurd (in point of perspective ) as the ingeniously-sarcastic com-

VI

Preface

position by Hogarth, which stands as a frontispiece to Kerby’s Dr. Brook Taylor’s Perspective.

To remedy this dereliction from so great an essential, demands the united efforts of all who have been initiated to the means. How this is to be done may still admit of an indefinite answer, the whole science having been so repeatedly and fully explained, that nothing can be wanting as to matter.

The only hope remaining, and on which I venture this essay, is, that a more simple and familiar manner might probably awaken that attention, which would not fail of equivalent success.

The complete Body of Perspective, by Malton, sen. may be relied on : but it insists on intense application ; and his plates, at first sight, confuse a novice in the art; who, unless wise enough to enter deliberately and earnestly on a regular course of investigation of its ponderous, yet sterling contents, will most probably close that mine of pure gold for ever.

To obviate the ill effects of such an unfavourable impression has been my constant study, with my children and other pupils; endeavouring to give them an early taste of the fruits of science, as an inducement to a more willing cultivation of the roots. This easy style I have thought proper for the following Dialogues ; wherein conciseness and perspicuity, with as little reference as possible, has been my chief care, avoiding repetition in the examples, and as much so in the theory as the subject would admit; with a view to divest this sublime science of its apparent gravity, and thereby introduce an important branch of knowledge to a more general and favourable reception.

PREFACE.

VU

The letters, which follow these Dialogues, having given great assistance in their original form, I have selected and arranged them, progressively, as lessons. My inexperience in the accomplishment of authorship has rendered this a task of difficulty ; and, after all, 1 must acknowledge, that had I at the first intended publishing any other instructions than those contained in the Dialogues, I certainly should not have adopted the epistolary style ; but being already by me in that form, and the proofs I have received of their utility, determined this point; which, if progressi\ ely studied, I have good reason to hope will answer the purpose of a certain guide in many instances, and a faithful director in all ; so as to form a safe basis for youth to build on, and on which maturity may lean with approbation.

I dare not venture before the enlightened public of this accomplished aera without apologizing for the plainness of my diction, by confessing that I have been too much engaged in other elementary pursuits, to attend to the mechanism of style ; and my only reliance is on that of having endeavoured to communicate what must be considered useful, in a language (at least) intelligible.

Vlll

ADDENDA.

The approbation, and encomiums, of such as under - stand the subject of a publication, are of too much importance to an Author, both as to the honour thereby conftned, and the just advantage, on every other consideration, which must consequently follow, to suffer a re-publication of such a work to appear unaccompanied by the genuine testimonials it has produced. The favourable reception of the First Edition having enrolled the Author’s name among those of useful writers, it would be not only ungenerous, but ungrateful in him, to pass to a Second Edition, without first recording his thanks to all his noble patrons and subscribers ; and his particular obligation

To T: DALBY, Esq. Head Master of the Senior Military College, Sandhurst ;

To JOHN LANDSEER, Esq. A.R.A. Engraver to the King, F. S. A. and Professor of the Philosophy of Art to the Royal Institution ;

Fo P. NICHOLSON, Esq. Architect; Author of the Architectural Dictionary, and other celebrated Works of Instruction, in Geometry, Architecture, and Perspective ;

To WM. ROYSTON, Esq. F. L. S. ;

And to CORNELIUS YARLEY, Esq. Artist; and Patentee of (he Graphic Telescope;

who have kindly contributed, by their suggestions, to the success of the work.

RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE WORK.

R T TV

effective is a branch of the Mathematics I have not much a tended to ; but I find some things in your Work better adapted ° the capacities of learners than in more diffuse and elaborate

ADDENDA.

IX treatises. Should you print another edition, set me down as a Subscriber. (Then followed some critical improvement in the geometrical figures of Plates II. anyl III. with which the Author was favoured in time for his first edition.)

“ I am, Sir, your’s sincerely, T. Dalby.”

“ Mr. Landseer thinks, that such an easy and familiar Guide to Practical Perspective as Mr. ILayter’s, was much wanted; and that it is well calculated to facilitate the progress of Students.

“ If Mr. Hayter should print another edition, as it is most likely he will, Mr. L. thinks that a similar simplification of the rules that govern the perspective of reflections on water, &c. would be an useful addition (which the Author has fully given in this edition, from pages 81 to 89, with two plates). The Book would then, he thinks, be as completely rudimental in matter, as it is instructiv e in the manner in which Mr. Hayter has produced it to the Public. — Foley Street, Oct. 14, 1813.”

“ Sir, “ Chelsea, Nov. 15, 1813.

“ I regret that my engagements have not yet allowed me time to go completely through your little volume, which, as far as I can judge of it, pleases me very much. I have recommended it to a friend of mine, and I intend to have two Books.

“ I am, Sir, your obedient servant, M. D. Brunell.”

From an Old Drawing Master.

“ Dear Sir, I have read your Publication : I think it is altogether the best Work that has been brought forward to public view: it has more information and more proper instruction than all that has been written on the subject, and does you infinite credit.”

Ladies School. — “ Mrs. F presents her compliments to

Mr. Hayter, and is so well pleased with Iris methods, in his Introduction to Perspective, Drawing, and Painting, as to determine that none of her drawing pupils shall be without it.”

Ladies School. — “ Dear Madam, Pray accept my thanks, and give the same to Mr. Hayter, for his Work on Perspective you

X

ADDENDA.

were so good to send me. It appears a very useful and ingenious Publication, and I shall have great pleasure in recommending it whenever it is in my power/'

From an eminent Female Amateur. — “ Sir, I have the pleasure to inform you, that I have just received your Book. I am obliged to you for sending it so soon, and like it much. I dare say I shall be greatly pleased with it, having heard it so well

spoken of by Miss ; and also, when I was in London, by

Sir William Beechey.”

“ Dear Sir,

“ I have received both pleasure and instruction from your Publication. I very sincerely wish you every success you can desire both as a Writer and Preceptor. Any use of my name that you may think proper, will be most readily acquiesced in by, dear Sir, your very obliged servant, M. A. Shee.”

The PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY, and all the subscribing ROYAL ACADEMICIANS, have given the Author the most flattering approbation, both personally and by recommendation.

The SOCIETY FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF ARTS, See. Adelplii, have given the Author personal thanks.

“ MATHEMATICAL SOCIETY.— At a Meeting of this Society, on Saturday the 16th of October, 1813, it was resolved unanimously, That the Thanks of this Society be transmitted by the Secretary to Mr. Hayter, for his very handsome Present made this evening of his Introduction to Perspective.

(Signed by Order) P. Stainton, Secretary”

“ Dear Sir, Leicester Square, Aug. 25, 1814.

“ 1 have of late been so much engaged, that I have not had my mind sufficiently at liberty to give that attention to your Book which it seems entitled to. From the little attention I have been able to give it, it seems a Work calculated to be useful.

“ As you are preparing a Second Edition, you will please to put me down as a Subscriber.

w I am, dear Sir, yours truly,

William Tassik.’

ADDENDA,

XI

FROM AN AMATEUR.

“ In the first place, I must acknowledge my obligations to you for the instructions you favoured me with and further offered, and declare to you sincerely, that the impressive and correct exposition you gave of the principle of producing identity, afforded me more satisfaction than any thing I ever met with on the subject, as did indeed your Treatise previously ; in fact, I never gained theoretic information from converse with any professional man (not merely in this science, but others) before. The cleverest people have not always the clearest general ideas, or do not know how to deliver them. But the impression of this will always remain in my mind as a beautiful truth — that of the three progressive stages in our course of study.

“ Yours, truly, J. S .”

Mr. Laporte, Artist and Drawing Master, with a note of unqualified approbation, determines to recommend the work to the use of all his Pupils.

“ Sir, 35, Titclifield Street, July 18, 1814.

“ Having by chance met with your Introduction to Perspective, &c. I found in it more than I had a right to expect from its title. You pretend no further than an Introduction to tliq Art of Perspective; but the choice of your problems (though few) are such that, if weli understood, would in practice tend to regulate the designs of many excellent artists who are deficient in this respect : it would facilitate their works, and save the lash of the critical observers of perspective truth, which too often justly apply to painters. With regard to your precepts and observations, distributed in the course of the work, I think, upon the whole, they are just and conclusive ; some of which appear to me to be new, and of intrinsic value, equal to those already sanctioned, being, like them, founded on the laws of Nature. I wish you all the success your work deserves, and beg you will place my name in the List of Subscribers to your Second Edition.

“ I am, Sir, your humble servant,

John Dixon.’

Directions for placing the Plates.

Plate I. to face Page -

Plate X. to face Page

V.

VI.

VII.

VIII.

IX.

The author hopes the very moderate price of the hook will be considered as sufficient apology for the plain style of the engravings, as they are completely adequate to the purposes of illustration.

Content^

Page

Introduction to Perspective

Comprehensive definition of the science

"The transparent plane explained

On the mechanical means of drawing and copying . . . -

The extensive powers of perspective

The difficulty of acquiring the art ; how removed

The right idea of the transparent plane confirmed by >

experiment

Practical Geometry : its use

Necessary preparations for geometrical drawing •

The drawing instruments explained experimentally— Plate I. The figures and terms of practical geometry illustrated by *

experiments. — Plates II. and III *

Commencement of the theory of perspective

Tbe boundary line of a picture considered an aperture x through which the real object is supposed to be seen: f Plate IV. Fig. 1. — And, Explanation ot the horizontal i

line, Plate if. Fig. 2 >

Bird's-eye view, explained

All level planes must incline to the horizon.— Plate V. Fig. 1. The point of sight, or point perpendicular to the eye.— Fig. 2. The distinction between the horizon of a scene, and the ho- \

rizontal line of perspective *

A proof that the horizontal line of a picture must be the j height of the spectator’s eye. Plate A. Fig. 4. • . >

Frontispiece explained

What surfaces converge to the point of sight

The proper situation of the point of sight.— Fig. 2. • ,• •

The principal visual ray, or perpendicular ray from the \ ^

eye to the point of sight >

On the POINT of DISTANCE, with practical explana- > tions.— Plate Yl. Figs. 1 aud 2 >

5 jS

ib.

The proper point, and distance, to view perspective drawings, 41

Why the length of a picture is the shortest allowable dis- ^ tance, of the point of sight, for the point of the spec- . 48

tator’s eye 4 '

On the imperfect effect of an oblique view of a pictui e

. 44