410 
On the Merit of the Ancients 
has yet dared to controvert. “But they have 
“ a remarkable drynefs of manner, which is, by 
“ no means, recommended for imitation.” The 
compofitions of the ancients appear to be much 
better calculated for the chifiel, than the pencil. 
Chiaro-fcuro, or the art of diftributing the 
lights and fhadows in a pidlure advantageoufly, 
as well for the repofe, and fatisfadtion of the eye, 
as for the effect of the whole together, leems to 
be a modern invention. By the affiftance of 
this part of fcience, objedts receive more relief, 
truth, and foundnels. The mafies of light and 
fhade are formed by a proper diftribution of 
objects, which, by an artful management, are fo 
difpofed, that all the lights are on one fide, and 
the fliades on the other. Sometimes, refledted 
lights are neceflary; at other times they are ufed, 
with a pidtorical liberty, to produce the defired 
.effects it is the knowledge of this that animates 
the canvas, and gives the appearance of corpo¬ 
real fubftance to a flat furface. Rembrandt ,* fo 
far from felecling the molt beautiful and grace¬ 
ful parts of nature, frequently made a bad choice 
from among the fubjedls fhe affords. And, 
although he poffefifed a very moderate portion 
of true tafte, yet the fire and fpirit, with which 
his pictures are finifhed, cannot be feen without 
furprize ; and the effedt produced by his colour- 
# Rembrandt, a great artift of the Flemifh fchool. 
