The architecural drawings presented in this book are not illustrations of the work of mere engineers but demonstrate the true mesure of the art of architecture. The play of geometrical combinations in space and perspectives has often tempted painters including such Renaissance architects as Andrea Pozzo and Giuseppe Bibiena who imagined real or imagery edifices in highly theatrical drawings. Ornamentation is the major preoccupation of those architects who could be considered as "decorators". In a great number of their drawings, the purpose is not to illustrate the essentials parts of the building, but rather the decorative elements intended to enrich and embellish it. Afterwards, the architect ornamentalist called in different groups of craftsmen: sculptors, cabinet-makers, masons specializing in staff work, locksmiths and art metalworkers. Many types of ornamentation devolve from architecture and are indissociable from it: sculpture on capitals, friezes and cornices; wood panelling, columns, interior decoration, marquetry, fountains... Throughout, the recurrent themes of foliage, flowers, arabesques, figures and trophies are found. Finally, the virtuosity of these drawings are tributes to the accomplished draftsman techniques of architects such as Jacques-Androuet du Cerceau in the 16th century or Eugene Viollet-le-Duc and Karl Friedrich Schinkel in the 19th century.