INTRODUCTION. 7 



be the more effectually combated, because we have in 

 our ranks painters of a justly recognised celebrity, who 

 will respond to our ungrateful role of observer, by reason 

 of the difficulties they themselves experience, in order to 

 submit themselves to the sustained attention, relying 

 upon the resume of our experiences. 



In affirmation of the need of the varied attainments I 

 have just enumerated, it will suffice if I appeal to the 

 conscientious and persistent studies of an artistic 

 authority, who has carried desire of accuracy to its 

 utmost limit. I refer to Meissonier. 



What studies and sketches, what precious time, what 

 fatigue are necessary for the faithful representation of the 

 living horse. Meissonier laid aside his artistic experience, 

 he became a student once more. His indefatigable 

 palette photographed, so to say, each movement, each 

 period, in order to compose a whole of which the resume 

 has been the calm gaits of the remarkable picture of 

 1 8 14. The representation of the horse there is of a 

 merit sufficiently recognised to warrant the recommenda- 

 tion of its study to artists who desire to be rigorously 

 accurate. 



Is it an innovation to affirm that Art only embellishes 

 the imitated nature, so far as the artist perfectly 

 possesses in himself all the knowledge which rectifies 

 and renders beautiful in the copy what is defective in 

 the model ? 



Certainly not ; for this was frequently enunciated by 

 artists in the last century. It is true, that from t he 

 aspect of the gaits of the horse, this advice has been but 

 little heeded, and that the old masters were very 

 neglectful in this respect. While giving the importance of 

 a task to the animal represented in a picture, they only 

 regarded it as an accessory, to be but slightly studied. 



It is certain that, in nature, a horse can exist without 

 uniting all the beauties resultant from the harmony of 

 form. It is for the artist to select that which best 

 responds to the subject which he desires to handle, and 

 is possessed of the qualities necessary to the usage to 

 which he destines his model. We, however, find in 

 former times, the naive representation of gaits as I should 

 desire that they should be to-day reproduced. 



