1805 – Cabinet of Arts | Painting and Drawing Instruction | Illustrated First Edition

The Cabinet of the Arts; Being a New and Universal Drawing Book by John Dougall is an 1805 guide to drawing and painting. This impressive work describes watercolor techniques, drawing human anatomy, illustrating landscapes, and perspective. Intended for learners without access to formal art education, this book lays out foundational principles in an easy-to-understand manner. The 67 full-page engravings make this book highly desirable – note the engravings of human anatomy, which are truly remarkable.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Cabinet of the Arts; Being a New and Universal Drawing Book, Forming a Complete System of Drawing, Painting
• Author(s): John Dougall
• Publisher: London, T. Ostell
• Edition: First edition, 1805
• Binding: Contemporary hardcover
• Format: (4to), single volume
• Size:  10.25 in x 8.75 in (26 cm x 22 cm)
• Collation: [8], 367, [1] pp
• Illustrations: 67 engraved plates
• Contents Include:
  • Principles of drawing and anatomy
  • Perspective and proportion
  • Material preparation
  • Watercolor methods
  • Architectural and landscape rendering

Condition:

Good. Firmly bound in its original hardcover with wear at corners and edges. The plates show toning and foxing at margins, but all are intact. Text remains fully legible and complete.

Why Collect This?

• Early printed art manual from the Georgian period
• Complete with all 67 original plates

Item Number: # 50044