This volume, the first of two that will present The Metropolitan Museum of Art's general collection, documents the work of about 150 known and 60 unidentified artists born before 1835. The catalogue section contains 106 works representing a wide range of media, techniques, and styles, thus providing a history of American drawings and watercolors from the 18th through most of the 19th century. The introduction by Avery, associate curator in the Department of American Paintings and Sculpture, tracks the history of the Museum's acquisitions. The essay by Marjorie Shelley (Sherman Fairchild Center for Works on Paper and Photograph Conservation) describes tools and techniques used by draftsmen of the period, the technological advances that benefited them, and the growing interest in outdoor sketching that led to the development of portable conveniences. Contains 581 illustrations (128 of which are in color), a concordance, and a bibliography. Oversize: 9x11.25<">. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)