1828
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
Copy of "Système de Magnée - Veritable Position de la Main et de la Plume" from François Magnée's "Le Parfait calligraphe, ou Méthode pour apprendre soi-même a écrire en peu de leçons" is a 1828 ink by French 19th Century, a Romanticism work, depicting Writing, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows a hand holding a quill over a sheet of paper. Tiny black dots create the image, with red ink marking the lines. The hand looks ready to write, but the page stays blank. Calligraphy books taught writing by copying perfect hands. This plate shows the "true position" of pen and fingers for neat script. It’s a step-by-step guide turned into art. It uses engraving, where tiny dots build the picture. Look up cross-hatching next.
This sculptor liked to keep sharp tools in the studio and blunt ones in his pocket—his niece recalled finding him absentmindedly whittling a stick while talking philosophy.
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