University of Virginia Library

“The nation may well be proud of this admirable work. In design and
execution, the artist has been singularly felicitous; and nothing can surpass
the beauty, correctness, and finish of style, in which the publisher has presented
it to his countrymen. The book is strictly what it claims to be—a
teacher of the art of Drawing. The method is so thorough, comprehensive,
and progressive; its rules so wise, exact, and clearly laid down; and its classic
illustrations are so skillfully adapted to train the eye and hand, that no pupil
who faithfully follows its guidance, can fail to become, at least, a correct
draughtsman. We have been especially pleased with the treatise on Perspective,
which entirely surpasses anything that we have ever met with upon
that difficult branch of art.”

“Perspective, is one of the most difficult branches of drawing, and one the
least susceptible of verbal explanation. But so clearly are its principles developed
in the beautiful letter-press, and so exquisitely are they illustrated by the
engravings, that the pupil's way is opened most invitingly to a thorough knowledge
of both the elements and application of Perspective.”

“It treats of Perspective with a masterly hand. The engravings are superb,
and the typography unsurpassed by any book with which we are acquainted.
It is an honor to the author and publisher, and a credit to our common country.”

“This number is devoted to the explanation of Perspective, and treats that
difficult subject with admirable clearness, precision, and completeness. The
plates and letter-press of this work are executed with uncommon beauty. It
has received the sanction of many of our most eminent artists, and can scarcely
be commended too highly.”

“This present number is dedicated to the subject of Perspective—commencing
with the elements of Geometry—and is especially valuable to builders,
carpenters, and other artisans, being accompanied with beautiful illustrative
designs drawn by Chapman, and further simplified by plain and perspicuous
directions for the guidance of the student. Indeed, the whole work,
from its undeviating simplicity, exhibits the hand of a master. We trust this
highly useful and elevated branch of art will hereafter become an integral portion
of public education, and as it is more easily attainable, so will it ultimately
be considered an indispensable part of elementary instruction. Its cheapness
is only rivalled by its excellence, and the artistic beauty of its illustrations is
only equalled by the dignified ease and common sense exemplified in the
written directions that accompany each lesson.

“The subject of Perspective we should think would interest every mechanic
in the country; indeed, after all, this is the class to be the most benefited by
sound and thorough instruction in drawing.”

“Permit me here to say I regard your Drawing-Book as a treasure. I was
a farmer-boy, and it was while daily following the plough, that I became acquainted
with the first number of Chapman's Drawing-Book. I found in it
just what I desired—a plain, sure road to that excellence in the Art of Arts, that
my boyish mind had pictured as being so desirable, the first step toward which
I had taken by making rude sketches upon my painted ploughbeam, or using
the barn-door as my easel, while with colored rotten-stone I first took sessons
from Nature. I am now at college. I have a class at drawing, and find in the
several numbers I have obtained, the true road for the teacher also.”