De arte graphica The art of painting / by C.A. Du Fresnoy ; with remarks ; translated into English, together with an original preface containing a parallel betwixt painting and poetry, by Mr. Dryden ; as also A short account of the most eminent painters, both ancient and modern, continu'd down to the present times, according to the order of their succession, by another hand.

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Title
De arte graphica The art of painting / by C.A. Du Fresnoy ; with remarks ; translated into English, together with an original preface containing a parallel betwixt painting and poetry, by Mr. Dryden ; as also A short account of the most eminent painters, both ancient and modern, continu'd down to the present times, according to the order of their succession, by another hand.
Author
Dufresnoy, Charles-Alphonse, 1611-1668.
Publication
London :: Printed by J. Heptinstall for W. Rogers ...,
1695.
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Subject terms
Painting -- Early works to 1800.
Painters -- Early works to 1800.
Cite this Item
"De arte graphica The art of painting / by C.A. Du Fresnoy ; with remarks ; translated into English, together with an original preface containing a parallel betwixt painting and poetry, by Mr. Dryden ; as also A short account of the most eminent painters, both ancient and modern, continu'd down to the present times, according to the order of their succession, by another hand." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/a36766.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 24, 2024.

Pages

Page [unnumbered]

A TABLE of the Precepts Contain'd in this TREATISE.

  • OF what is Beautiful. p. 7
  • Of Theory and Practice. 8
  • Concerning the Subject. 11
  • Invention the first part of Painting. 12
  • The Disposition of the whole Work. ib.
  • The Faithfulness of the Sub∣ject. ib.
  • Whatsoever palls the Subject to be rejected. 15
  • Design, or Drawing the se∣cond part of Painting. 16
  • Variety in the Figures. 19
  • The Members and Drapery of every Figure to be suita∣ble to it. ib.
  • The Actions of Mutes to be imitated. ib.
  • Of the principal Figure of the Subject. ib.
  • Grouppes of Figures. 20
  • The Diversity of Postures in the Grouppes. ib.
  • Equality of the Piece. ib.
  • Of the number of Figures. 23
  • Of the Ioints and Feet. ib.
  • The Motions of the Hands and Head must agree. ib.
  • What must be avoided in the di∣stribution of the Figures. ib.
  • That we must not tie our selves to Nature, but accommo∣date her to our Genius. 24
  • Ancient Figures the Rules of imitating Nature. 27
  • A single Figure how to be treated. ib.
  • Of the Draperies. ib.
  • What things contribute to a∣dorn the Picture. 31
  • Of precious Stones and Pearls for Ornament. ib.
  • The Model. ib.
  • The Scene of the Picture. ib.
  • The Graces and the Nobleness. ib.
  • Let every thing be set in its proper place. ib.
  • Of the Passions. 32
  • Gothique Ornamens to be a∣voided. ib.
  • Colouring the third part of Painting. 35
  • ...

Page lxiv

  • The Conduct of the Tones of Lights and Shadows. 39
  • Of dark Bodies on light grounds. 40
  • That there must not be two e∣qual Lights in a Picture. 43
  • Of White and Black. 44
  • The Reflection of Colours. 47
  • The Vnion of Colours. ib.
  • Of the Interposition of Air. ib.
  • The relation of Distances. 48
  • Of Bodies which are distanc'd. ib.
  • Of Bodies which are contigu∣ous, and of those which are seperated. ib.
  • Contrary extremities to be a∣voided. ib.
  • Diversity of Tones and Co∣lours. ib.
  • The Choice of Light. 51
  • Of certain things relating to the practical part. ib.
  • The Field, or Ground of the Picture. ib.
  • Of the Vivacity of Colours. 52
  • Of Shadows. ib.
  • The Picture to be of one Piece. ib.
  • The Looking-glass the Pain∣ters best Master. ib.
  • An half Figure, or a whole one before others. ib.
  • A Portrait. 55
  • The place of the Picture. ib.
  • Large Lights. 56
  • What Lights are requisite. ib.
  • Things which are vicious in Painting to be avoided. ib.
  • The prudential part of a Pain∣ter. ib.
  • The Idea of a beautiful Piece. 59
  • Advice to a young Painter. ib.
  • Art must be subservient to the Painter. 60
  • Diversity and Facility are pleasing. ib.
  • The Original must be in the Head, and the Copy on the Cloth. ib.
  • The Compass to be in the Eyes. ib.
  • Pride an Enemy to good Painting. 63
  • Know your self. ib.
  • Practise perpetually. 64
  • The Morning most proper for Work. ib.
  • Every day do something. ib.
  • The Passions which are true and na••••ural ib.
  • Of Table-Books. 67
  • The method of Studies for a young ••••ainter. 71
  • Nature and Experience per∣fect Art. 76
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