Lumen Picturae is a pictorial guide to classical drawing featuring the sublime renderings of the influential 17th century Dutch engraver Frederick de Wit. It is an indispensible handbook for visual artists — both professional and amateur — or for anyone who appreciates the incomparable beauty of classical figure studies.

Lumen Picturae begins with a number of basic explanations on how to represent and interrelate the different parts of the human body. Step-by-step visuals reveal the golden rules of art and demonstrate how to apply these rules to one's own practice.

This is followed by chapters on the various possibilities for representing male and female nudes, mythological figures, and biblical figures. In the final pages, the depiction of animals and birds is explored.

Frederick de Wit first published his work Lumen Picturae in Amsterdam between 1660 and 1675, and it became an essential element in every artist's education up until the Impressionist revolution. A book of compelling insight and great historical value, it should be reconsidered by all figurative artists working today.

Author — Frederick de Wit.

Hardcover. 172 pages. 8½" × 11¾" (22 cm × 30 cm).