An attractive copy of this increasingly rare book of illustrations by Samuel Prout, an important and influential English artist, the uncle of John Skinner Prout. His early works included romantic landscapes of Devon and marine scenery. His landscape depictions were of ovbious influence to his nephew, Australian water colourist Skinner Prout. This work of Samuel Prout exemplifies his concern with technical aspects of artistry and this is known to be one of his more influential works.

An attractive copy of this increasingly rare book of illustrations by Samuel Prout, an important and influential English artist, the uncle of John Skinner Prout. His early works included romantic landscapes of Devon and marine scenery. His landscape depictions were of ovbious influence to his nephew, Australian water colourist Skinner Prout. This work of Samuel Prout exemplifies his concern with technical aspects of artistry and this is known to be one of his more influential works.

This "New edition" of one of Prout's popular books for learners containing an introduction by the early lithographer entitled "On the Importance of Figures" which technically describes the devices used in drawing figures within a setting. A series of 24 plates follow, which engage in an exploration of the human figure in the every day scene. Many compositions depicting groups of people in town scenes engaged in commonplace activities. The prints demonstrate Prout's keen eye for architecture and it was here, in his illustrations of continental scenery, that it is said Prout found his niche.

First published in 1841, both editions of this work are now of some scarcity.