I 97 1 



^Vil. On Paintif:g. By 3/r. E. DATES, FamUr, 



Essay VI. 



Ofi Compojition or Difpojitlon. 



but in fuch order all, 



As, though hard wrought, may iccm by chance to fall." 



Duke of Buckingham. 



V^OMPOSITION is the forming of a whole by the union 

 of various diffimilar parts ; or, in a more painter-like fenfe, 

 the art of arranging the figures and other materials of a pic- 

 ture in fuch a manner that the whole may appear as if the 

 refult of chance, though produced by the moll confummate 

 art. 



Before we proceed to offer fuch rules as are to be extrafted 

 from the works of the moft eucemed mafters, it may not be 

 improper to premife what previous knowledge is neceflary to 

 enaljle us to produce a compofition. 



When we have occafion to fpeak of the works of certain 

 artiRs, we widi at all times to be underftood as referring 

 through them to nature, for it muft ever be remembered that 

 art cannot furmjh its own rules. 



Some who have written on the arts have recommended 

 particular books for the ufe of young artifts ; which is fup- 

 pofing a certain quantity of information fufficient to make a 

 painter. Where he is to begin his inquiry every one knows ; 

 where to liop, no one can tell : one thing is certain, there 

 is no danger of too much knowledge making him fpoil his 

 work. 



It is of the firft importance to imagine well our piclure. 

 To this end we muft take everv means to become well 

 acquainted with the hiftorv whence our fubje6t is drawn, 

 that we may become familiar with the charatbers we are to. 

 reprcfent : hence a reference to their lives becomes neceflary, 

 that wc may not miftake a bad man for a good one from tlie 

 lliow of one gooil aftion. This is not all; time and place 

 mull be attended to, that we may not confound the cufloms 

 of one people with the manners of another. The country, 

 alfo, fliould be charafterized by its trees, rivers, monuments, 

 and public buildings, as well as the inhabitants by their drei's 

 (Tnil manners. ' 



' All this, nay more, being abfolutely necelTary, how is it 

 poHiljle that an arlill with a little reading can accomplifli a 

 work like a liiftorical pifturc? As well might we iuppofe the 



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