. contained in the Oval and in the Elliptic Curves, IL. 



tation; a few convex and concave elliptic curves added to 

 each tangent, produced an ear of barley, or an ear of rye, the 

 elegant construction of which, is rarely noticed in our remarks 

 on nature, Fig, 21. 



Fig, 21. 



The discussion on these various designs being concluded, some 

 important compositions of three great and renowned painters 

 were produced, to corroborate what had been advanced in sup- 

 port of the native beauty of the oval and ellipse. Raphael's 

 grand composition of the dispute on the Sacrament is in three 

 grand oval curves. 



The Doctors of the Church on the ground plan are ranged in 

 an oval convex line ; and the heavenly Choirs engage two con- 

 cave oval shapes of the same proportion, but of unequal quan- 

 tities. This is also a proof of a composition of parts, bearing 

 two to one. 



The facility of expressing such a composition, by being geo- 

 metrical, is extremely easy. 



The second illustration was the Aurora, by Guido, of the 

 Aldobrandini palace. This was pointed out to depend upon 

 an oval curve, and continued curvilinear details : the striking 

 beauty of this fine composition is owing to its great and simple 

 elliptic curve, which includes the whole group ; the attendant 

 hours have the principle of radiating to a centre of the oval : 

 thus harmonizing and uniting forms congenial both to principle 

 and nature. 



The third grand composition was by Rubens, the Coronation 

 ceremony of Mary de Medicis, one of the grand Luxemburg 

 pictures. 



This very fine composition is contained in an oval con- 



