The Mathematicall Praeface to Elements of Geometrie of Euclid of MegaraDee, John
Philosophy
The Mathematicall Praeface to Elements of Geometrie of Euclid of Megara
Dee, John
Geometry -- Early works to 1800; Mathematics -- Early works to 1800; Philosophy -- Early works to 1800
+‡Zographie‡, is an Arte Mathematicall, which teacheth and
demonstrateth, how, the Intersection of all visuall Pyramides, made by
any playne assigned, (the Centre, distance, and lightes, beyng
determined) may be, by lynes, and due propre colours, represented.+ A
notable Arte, is this: and would require a whole Volume, to declare the
property thereof: and the Commodities ensuyng. Great skill of
_Geometrie_, _Arithmetike_, _Perspectiue_, and _Anthropographie_, with
many other particular Artes, hath the _Zographer_, nede of, for his
perfection. For, the most excellent Painter, (who is but the propre
Mechanicien, & Imitator sensible, of the Zographer) hath atteined to
such perfection, that Sense of Man and beast, haue iudged thinges
painted, to be things naturall, and not artificiall: aliue, and not
dead. This Mechanicall Zographer (commonly called the Painter) is
meruailous in his skill: and seemeth to haue a certaine diuine power:
As, of frendes absent, to make a frendly, present comfort: yea, and of
frendes dead, to giue a continuall, silent presence: not onely with vs,
but with our posteritie, for many Ages. And so procedyng, Consider, How,
in Winter, he can shew you, the liuely vew of Sommers Ioy, and riches:
and in Sommer, exhibite the countenance of Winters dolefull State, and
nakednes. Cities, Townes, Fortes, Woodes, Armyes, yea whole Kingdomes
(be they neuer so farre, or greate) can he, with ease, bring with him,
home (to any mans Iudgement) as Paternes liuely, of the thinges
rehearsed. In one little house, can he, enclose (with great pleasure of
the beholders,) the portrayture liuely, of all visible Creatures, either
on earth, or in the earth, liuing: or in the waters lying, Creping,
slyding, or swimming: or of any foule, or fly, in the ayre flying. Nay,
in respect of the Starres, the Skie, the Cloudes: yea, in the shew of
the very light it selfe (that Diuine Creature) can he match our eyes
Iudgement, most nerely. What a thing is this? thinges not yet being, he
can represent so, as, at their being, the Picture shall seame (in maner)
to haue Created them. To what Artificer, is not Picture, a great
pleasure and Commoditie? Which of them all, will refuse the Direction
and ayde of Picture? The Architect, the Goldsmith, and the Arras Weauer:
of Picture, make great account. Our liuely Herbals, our portraitures of
birdes, beastes, and fishes: and our curious Anatomies, which way, are
they most perfectly made, or with most pleasure, of vs beholden? Is it
not, by Picture onely? And if Picture, by the Industry of the Painter,
be thus commodious and meruailous: what shall be thought of _Zographie_,
the Scholemaster of Picture, and chief gouernor? Though I mencion not
_Sculpture_, in my Table of Artes Mathematicall: yet may all men
perceiue, How, that _Picture_ and _Sculpture_, are Sisters germaine: and
both, right profitable, in a Commõ wealth. and of _Sculpture_, aswell as
of Picture, excellent Artificers haue written great bokes in
commendation.
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