Second edition of a popular practical manual teaching the art of drawing by the famous Dutch painter Gerard de Lairesse (1640-1711). The book is divided into two parts, the first part teaching young children in 12 lessons the principles of drawing based on geometry, and in the second part a more advanced course is given in 10 so-called "propositions" for professional art students, including a detailed plan for the installation of an Art Academy. Gerard de Lairesse, sometimes called the Dutch Poussin, devoted himself to teaching after he became blind in 1690. Being a classicist, his theories were mainly based on Junius's De pictura Veterum, and on Charles Dufresnoy's De arte graphica, but the practical side of his teaching, based on his own lifelong experience, gives his text books their special interest and importance.The treatise by Segner teaches how to construct lamps which were economic and efficient and also spared the artist's eye-sight. The plates extensively show how to construct such lamps as well as their oil-reservoirs.
Slightly browned, with some faint, marginal foxing on only a few pages. Binding slightly rubbed along the extremities with some restorations to the spine. A very good copy in attractive binding. Bierens de Haan 2609; Kunst op schrift 137.