DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.18825#0021
LECT. I.] HISTORY OF ART. 11
tamed but augmented. Besides, as merit was secure
of due renown, it was likewise certain of ade-
quate reward. Nor were these the only motives
which animated the masters of antiquity : but supe-
rior to these, and to all others, was the persuasion
that a kind of religious respect was" paid to their
deities, by the exertion of exquisite skill in forming
their symbols, and representations.
The desire of personal honour, the glory of their
country, and the principles of their religion, sur-
mounted every difficulty : not contented with equal-
ling, Artists were prompted to excel, whatever had
been done before them ; and hereby they produced
those works which now fill us with admiration.
It must be acknowledged, that ancient Artists had
many opportunities for study of which we are desti-
tute : not only were the natives of their country
well shaped, and proportioned, but the Artists had
the additional advantage of seeing them constantly in
their exercises, which consisted of manly, and war-
like operations, of nimble and speedy motions, and
of rapidity exerted to the utmost; whence those who
for studv resorted to their schools had the most fa-
vourable opportunity of acquiring just ideas, not of
proportion only, but likewise of agility, grace, and
dignity.
The vouth were forms for imitation, when thev
wished to infuse, as it were, life into the marble, or
the picture : the aged, commanded by their appear-
ance reverence and respect; the noblest chaiac-
teristic parts of these, combined, or selected, with ex-
quisite judgment, became the representatives even of
C 2 celestial
tamed but augmented. Besides, as merit was secure
of due renown, it was likewise certain of ade-
quate reward. Nor were these the only motives
which animated the masters of antiquity : but supe-
rior to these, and to all others, was the persuasion
that a kind of religious respect was" paid to their
deities, by the exertion of exquisite skill in forming
their symbols, and representations.
The desire of personal honour, the glory of their
country, and the principles of their religion, sur-
mounted every difficulty : not contented with equal-
ling, Artists were prompted to excel, whatever had
been done before them ; and hereby they produced
those works which now fill us with admiration.
It must be acknowledged, that ancient Artists had
many opportunities for study of which we are desti-
tute : not only were the natives of their country
well shaped, and proportioned, but the Artists had
the additional advantage of seeing them constantly in
their exercises, which consisted of manly, and war-
like operations, of nimble and speedy motions, and
of rapidity exerted to the utmost; whence those who
for studv resorted to their schools had the most fa-
vourable opportunity of acquiring just ideas, not of
proportion only, but likewise of agility, grace, and
dignity.
The vouth were forms for imitation, when thev
wished to infuse, as it were, life into the marble, or
the picture : the aged, commanded by their appear-
ance reverence and respect; the noblest chaiac-
teristic parts of these, combined, or selected, with ex-
quisite judgment, became the representatives even of
C 2 celestial