A Series of Progressive Lessons Intended to Elucidate the Art of Painting in Water Colours by Cox, David, (1783-1859) - 1811

Westminster: J. Hays, 1811. First Edition. Oblong Quarto. 30 pages, [13] leaves of plates of which six are hand colored with notes of colors throughout the text as it begins with "Colouring with simple tints" and proceeding to the section "Compound tints". David Cox created this step-by-step drawing in this the First Edition in 1811 and it became the most important introduction to all aspects of drawing followed by tinting. He joined the Associated Artists in Water Colours in 1809 and he was elected its President in 1810. He became established as one of the most accomplished and successful water-colourists of his generation. Ruskin acknowledged him as the last great representative of the Society of Painters in Water Colours. He wrote: "There is not any other landscape which comes near these works of David Cox in simplicity or seriousness" (OED). The only copies in OCLC locates are at the British Library, the Huntington, Yale and the National Art Library of the Victoria and Albert Museum. No first edition of this work has appeared at auction for the past forty years. Bound in 3/4 red morocco over brown paper covered boards, spine with gilt decorative roll, purple armorial label to front pastedown; From Mess. Boydell's/ Thomas Clay/ Engraver & Printer /to her Royal Highness the/ Princess of Wales [Princess Charlotte]. Some marginal foxing or soiling. A very good copy.