Early Letters 



represents every individual part of a landscape just as we 

 see it when looking at that part. Now I maintain that this 

 is right, because no painting can represent an object both 

 distinct and indistinct. The only question is, Shall a paint- 

 ing show us objects as we see them when looking at them, 

 or as we see them when looking at something else near them ? 

 The only approach painters can make to this varying effect 

 of binocular vision, and what they often do, is to give the 

 most important and main feature of their painting distinct 

 as we should see it when looking at it in nature, while all 

 around has a subdued tone and haziness of outline like that 

 produced by seeing the real objects when our vision is not 

 absolutely directed to them. But then if, as in nature, when 

 you turn your gaze to one of these objects in order to see 

 it clearly, you cannot do so, this is a defect. Again, I 

 believe that we actually see in a good photograph better 

 than in nature, because the best camera lenses are more 

 perfectly adjusted than our eyes, and give objects at vary- 

 ing distances with better definition. Thus in a picture we 

 see at the same time near and distinct objects easily and 

 clearly, which in reality we cannot do. If we could do 

 so, everyone must acknowledge that our vision would be 

 so much the more perfect and our appreciation of the 

 beauties of nature more intense and complete; and in so 

 far as a good landscape painting gives us this power it is 

 better than nature itself; and I think this may account for 

 that excessive and entrancing beauty of a good landscape 

 or of a good panorama. You will think these ideas hor- 

 ribly heterodox, but if we all thought alike there would be 

 nothing to write about and nothing to learn. I quite agree 

 with you, however, as to artists using both eyes to paint 

 and to see their paintings, but I think you quite mistake 

 the theory of looking through the ^^ catalogue " ; it is not 

 because the picture can be seen better with one eye, but 



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