On Painting t §5 



Jiiower our rcfolves, we. ref.gn onrfelves up to the niofl iirno- 

 niinioiis flaverv, by giving up the right of regulating our 

 own hves. When we have arrived at this part of the art, 

 we muft place feme contidence in our own (kill, otherwife 

 we {liall be liable to perpetual embarraflment from the va- 

 rious opinions of others;' we fliould red fatisficd if our works 

 do not violate anv principle in nature or rule of art. He 

 ■rtho is doubtful of his own abilities will derive little advan- 

 -tage from the remarks of others, and the refult of his inquiry 

 will produce a mafs of crude and independent hints, that can^ 

 .not poflibly be reconciled, or coUefted iato one point. A 

 proper confidence is necellarv ; he cannot hope to fucceed, 

 who, before he beginsj doubts-if his abilities be equal to the 

 undertaking. i 



As it is the great end of art to ftrikc the imagination, when 

 T/e have made choice of a fubjetl that is lofty, grand, or 

 beautiful, we muft be careful that it does not fufter in our 

 handi by the introduction of poor or mean thoughts, ugly, 

 infigniticant, or common-place objects. Baflan, whatever 

 fuhjecl he chofe, rcprefented it by the peafants of his own 

 country; which deprived it of every merit but fuch as de- 

 pended on colour and effeft. How oppofite the conduct of 

 JRaphiel in the Cartoons ! who, knowing how much was ex- 

 peded from thofe who praftifed the great ftyle, has infiifed 

 all the noblenefs he was mader of into his apoflles, notwith- 

 ftanding hiftory furnifhes no authority for fo doing. As we 

 cannot make onr hero talk greatlv, we muft make him appear 

 capable ot great aftions, bv adding all the externals of dig- 

 nity and grandeur correfpondent to high feniiment and great 

 aftion ;iia power which all men wiOi, but few attain. 



As it is in our power, fo it is our duty, to produce that 

 unity which nature docs not always do. Thomfon has finely 

 heightened the death of Amelia by the ihunder-ftorm. A 

 murder perpetrated in a gloomy day, or at night, will atTc6l 

 our feeiiugs more ftrongly than in a broad flaring light. 



Invents become more compact, and of courlc more intc- 

 rcnintT, by making the inanimate fcenes of nature more dread- 

 ful or lovely, or by adding a more hiblime calt to the human 

 countenance. 



Thouiih many things in nature and art exceed cxpcftation, 

 yet noi'-.ing ienlibic has the power to exceed or even equal 

 the capacity of tliou<rht : it is from this power of the mind 

 the artilt derives his advantage. Mountains may be ima- 

 gined loftier or more picturelqiie, lakes more exleiifive and 

 dear, rivers more rapid or flow, rotki. luoie vail and wiH, 



C 2, CA\Xtl\i 



