138 Fine Arts. [Chap. X. 



In the 3^ear 1787 was announced the invention 

 of M'hat is called Poll/ graphic Painting, by which 

 paintings iu oil may be multiplied, by a chemical 

 and mechanical operation, to a \\'onderful extent. 

 The numerous copies obtained, by means of this 

 invention, are said to possess great excellence. 

 The utility of this art, if its merits be such as have 

 been mentioned, is too obvious to I'equire expla- 

 nation. 



A method was invented not long ago by Mr. Ro- 

 .bert Salmon of Bedfordshire, of transferring valua- 

 ble paintings from the substance on which they were 

 originally painted, to another more eligible one. 

 The utility and importance of this invention will 

 be readily appreciated by every intelligent reader. 



Numerous experiments have also been made, 

 during the last age, with respect to the best mode 

 of preparing and laying on Colonics, For these, 

 the art of painting is indebted to several chemists 

 and practical artists. But they are too numerous, 

 3nd would require too much minuteness of detail, 

 to be explained in the present sketch *. 



Finally, to this section belongs some notice of 

 the art of imitating pictures in ncedte-^work, which 

 has been brought to greater perfection during the 

 eighteenth century than ever before. In very 



* The laborious and ingenious experin:ients made by modem 

 prtists, particularly those directed towards the recovery of the ce- 

 Jebrated I'tndian mode of colouring, have not been attended with 

 so much success as might have been expected. Mr. West has 

 been much engaged in this inquiry, but without, as yet, attaining 

 the desired object. His colours, however, are permanent. The 

 same cannot be said in favour of sir Joshua Reynolds. His co- 

 louring, though much praised in his day, is liow foynU to fa^ #.'{' 

 tecdingly. MS. note -y" Mr. J. 11. Murray. 



