The artist's assistant: in the study and practice of mechanical sciences ... Illustrated with copper-plates.

Abstract

Birmingham was an early centre for drawing schools, no doubt fostered and partly funded by the wealth of local industry, however this appears to be the only 18th century treatise for artists that was locally produced. The fact that only one copy survives of the Birmingham printed edition is testimony to its small circulation and poor sales; however it did attract a London publisher. The text is taken from various sources, that on colour coming largely from Dossie's Handmaid to the Arts. A number of drawing masters are recorded in Birmingham at this date, and both James Eagle, and John Giles opened drawing schools and may be candidates for editorship of this anonymous work.