Cornelis Ploos van Amstel (1726-1798).

Redenvoeringen gedaan in de Teken-Academie te Amsterdam.

Amsterdam, J. Yntema, 1785.

8°. XXIV, 325, (2 advert.) pp.

Contemporary tree calf with gold-tooled spine and marbled edges.

The first and only edition of the luxury quarto issue, featuring a collection of five “reasonings” (lectures) on the art of drawing, presented between 1766 and 1785 at the Amsterdam Drawing Academy by its founding director, Cornelis Ploos van Amstel (1726–1798). This edition, printed on filigree paper in 4to format, was also issued in a more accessible 8vo format. Additionally, an inscription on the front endpaper reveals that this copy was gifted by the author to fellow art enthusiast J.F. Delfing in Amsterdam on 7 September 1787.

Ploos van Amstel, a prominent and highly inventive printmaker and draftsman of the 18th century, was renowned for his art in the vein of the 17th century that captured the essence of the Dutch countryside and urban landscapes of his time. His work as an educator at the Amsterdam Drawing Academy was highly regarded, and these lectures reflect his deep commitment to teaching the principles of drawing, particularly in relation to the study of nature, perspective, and the human figure. This work, gifted to a fellow art enthusiast, provides insight into Ploos van Amstel's artistic philosophy and his influence on the next generation of Dutch artists, reflecting the state of thought on art and aesthetics in the late 18th century.

Condition: minor wear to binding. With unidentified bookplate composed of red intertwined initials “JvR”(?) behind oval ornamental border with aphorism “Deo, non Fortuna”. Inscription in ink by the author on first free endpaper. Numbered in ink in top corner of endpaper, half-title and title, ex-library stamp on foot of title. Otherwise in very good condition.

Reference:

STCN 260530263.

Kunst op schrift 1159.