按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
f objects of the same kind have in common； that alone can acquire the power of discerning what each wants in particular。 This long laborious comparison should be the first study of the painter who aims at the greatest style。 By this means； he acquires a just idea of beautiful forms； he corrects nature by herself； her imperfect state by her more perfect。 His eye being enabled to distinguish the accidental deficiencies； excrescences； and deformities of things from their general figures； he makes out an abstract idea of their forms more perfect than any one original； and what may seem a paradox； he learns to design naturally by drawing his figures unlike to any one object。 This idea of the perfect state of nature； which the artist calls the ideal beauty； is the great leading principle by which works of genius are conducted。 By this Phidias acquired his fame。 He wrought upon a sober principle what has so much excited the enthusiasm of the world； and by this method you； who have courage to tread the same path； may acquire equal reputation。
This is the idea which has acquired； and which seems to have a right to the epithet of Divine； as it may be said to preside； like a supreme judge； over all the productions of nature； appearing to be possessed of the will and intention of the Creator； as far as they regard the external form of living beings。
When a man once possesses this idea in its perfection； there is no danger but that he will he sufficiently warmed by it himself； and be able to warm and ravish every one else。
Thus it is from a reiterated experience； and a close comparison of the objects in nature； that an artist becomes possessed of the idea of that central form； if I may so express it； from which every deviation is deformity。 But the investigation of this form I grant is painful； and I know but of one method of shortening the road； this is； by a careful study of the works of the ancient sculptors； who； being indefatigable in the school of nature； have left models of that perfect form behind them； which an artist would prefer as supremely beautiful； who had spent his whole life in that single contemplation。 But if industry carried them thus far； may not you also hope for the same reward from the same labour？ We have the same school opened to us that was opened to them； for nature denies her instructions to none who desire to become her pupils。
To the principle I have laid down； that the idea of beauty in each species of beings is invariably one； it may be objected that in every particular species there are various central forms； which are separate and distinct from each other； and yet are undeniably beautiful； that in the human figure； for instance； the beauty of the Hercules is one； of the gladiator another； of the Apollo another； which makes so many different ideas of beauty。
It is true； indeed； that these figures are each perfect in their kind； though of different characters and proportions； but still none of them is the representation of an individual； but of a class。 And as there is one general form； which； as I have said； belongs to the human kind at large； so in each of these classes there is one common idea and central form； which is the abstract of the various individual forms belonging to that class。 Thus； though the forms of childhood and age differ exceedingly； there is a common form in childhood； and a common form in age；which is the more perfect； as it is more remote from all peculiarities。 But I must add further； that though the most perfect forms of each of the general divisions of the human figure are ideal； and superior to any individual form of that class； yet the highest perfection of the human figure is not to be found in any one of them。 It is not in the Hercules； nor in the gladiator； nor in the Apollo； but in that form which is taken from them all； and which partakes equally of the activity of the gladiator； of the delicacy of the Apollo； and of the muscular strength of the Hercules。 For perfect beauty in any species must combine all the characters which are beautiful in that species。 It cannot consist in any one to the exclusion of the rest： no one； therefore； must be predominant； that no one may be deficient。
The knowledge of these different characters； and the power of separating and distinguishing them； is undoubtedly necessary to the painter； who is to vary his compositions with figures of various forms and proportions； though he is never to lose sight of the general idea of perfection in each kind。
There is； likewise； a kind of symmetry or proportion； which may properly be said to belong to deformity。 A figure lean or corpulent； tall or short； though deviating from beauty； may still have a certain union of the various parts； which may contribute to make them； on the whole； not unpleasing。 When the artist has by diligent attention acquired a clear and distinct idea of beauty and symmetry； when he has reduced the variety of nature to the abstract idea； his next task will be to become acquainted with the genuine habits of nature； as distinguished from those of fashion。 For in the same manner； and on the same principles； as he has acquired the knowledge of the real forms of nature； distinct from accidental deformity； he must endeavour to separate simple chaste nature from those adventitious； those affected and forced airs or actions； with which she is loaded by modern education。
Perhaps I cannot better explain what I mean than by reminding you of what was taught us by the Professor of Anatomy； in respect to the natural position and movement of the feet。 He observed that the fashion of turning； them outwards was contrary to the intent of nature； as might be seen from the structure of the bones； and from the weakness that proceeded from that manner of standing。 To this we may add the erect position of the head； the projection of the chest； the walking with straight knees； and many such actions； which are merely the result of fashion； and what nature never warranted； as we are sure that we have been taught them when children。
I have mentioned but a few of those instances； in which vanity or caprice have contrived to distort and disfigure the human form； your own recollection will add to these a thousand more of ill… understood methods； that have been practised to disguise nature； among our dancing…masters； hair…dressers； and tailors； in their various schools of deformity。
However the mechanic and ornamental arts may sacrifice to fashion； she must be entirely excluded from the art of painting； the painter must never mistake this capricious changeling for the genuine offspring of nature； he must divest himself of all prejudices in favour of his age or country； he must disregard all local and temporary ornaments； and look only on those general habits that are everywhere and always the same。 He addresses his works to the people of every country and every age； he calls upon posterity to be his spectators； and says with Zeuxis； In aeternitatem pingo。
The neglect of separating modern fashions from the habits of nature； leads to that ridiculous style which has been practised by some painters who have given to Grecian heroes the airs and graces practised in the court of Louis XIV。； an absurdity almost as great as it would have been to have dressed them after the fashion of that court。
To avoid this error； however； and to retain the true simplicity of nature； is a task more difficult than at first sight it may appear。 The prejudices in favour of the fashions and customs that we have been used to； and which are justly called a second nature； make it too often difficult to distinguish that which is natural from that which is the result of education； they frequently even give a predilection in favour of the artificial mode； and almost every one is apt to be guided by those local prejudices who has not chastised his mind； and regulated the instability of his affections； by the eternal invariable idea of nature。
Here； then； as before； we must have recourse to the ancients as instructors。 It is from a careful study of their works that you will be enabled to attain to the real simplicity of nature； they will suggest many observations； which would probably escape you； if your study were confined to nature alone。 And； indeed； I cannot help suspecting； that in this instance the ancients had an easier task than the moderns。 They had； probably； little or nothing to unlearn； as their manners were nearly approaching to this desirable simplicity； while the modern artist； before he can see the truth of things； is obliged to remove a veil； with which the fashion of the times has thought proper to cover her。
Having gone thus far in our investigation of the great style in painting； if we now should suppose that the artist has formed the true idea of beauty； which enables him to give his works a correct and perfect design； if we should suppose also that he has acquired a knowledge of the unadulterated habits of nature； which gives him simplicity； the rest of his talk is； perhaps； less than is generally imagined。 Beauty and simplicity have so great a share in the composition of a great style； that he who has acquired them has little else to learn。 It must not； indeed； be forgot