DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.18825#0033
lect. i.] history of art. 13
writers, of Flemish oil-paintings, which were exe-
cuted before the time of this supposed inventor. And
Mr. Horace Walpole, in his "Anecdotes of
Painting in England," lias produced some unques-
tionable facts, which prove, that oil-painting was
known and practised in this kingdom long before the
time in which Van Eyck is reported to have in-
vented it in Flanders. Among several arguments and
fails to the same purpose, it is ailedged, that Theo-
philus, who is supposed to have lived in the tenth
or eleventh century, in a treatise De Arte pingendi,
discovered in the library of Trinity College, describes
the method of making linseed-oil for the use of
painters, and gives two receipts for making oil-var-
nish.
This, however, whether we call it invention, or
adoption, was of the utmost advantage to Art; since,
by this means, the colours of a painting are preserved
much longer and better, and receive a lustre and
sweetness to which, so far as appears, the ancients
could never attain.
The mode of usage consists in grinding the co-
lours with nut-oil, or with linseed-oil; the manner
of working is very different from that in fresco, or
or in water ; the oil does not dry nearly so fast; and,
after it is dry, it gives the painter an opportunity of
retouching the parts of his picture at pleasure ; or
even of entirely changing them in drawing, or in co-
louring • which in the other kinds of painting is im-
practicable. The figures likewise are capable of
greater force and boldness; the colours mix better
together ; they permit a more delicate and agreeable
2 colouring.
writers, of Flemish oil-paintings, which were exe-
cuted before the time of this supposed inventor. And
Mr. Horace Walpole, in his "Anecdotes of
Painting in England," lias produced some unques-
tionable facts, which prove, that oil-painting was
known and practised in this kingdom long before the
time in which Van Eyck is reported to have in-
vented it in Flanders. Among several arguments and
fails to the same purpose, it is ailedged, that Theo-
philus, who is supposed to have lived in the tenth
or eleventh century, in a treatise De Arte pingendi,
discovered in the library of Trinity College, describes
the method of making linseed-oil for the use of
painters, and gives two receipts for making oil-var-
nish.
This, however, whether we call it invention, or
adoption, was of the utmost advantage to Art; since,
by this means, the colours of a painting are preserved
much longer and better, and receive a lustre and
sweetness to which, so far as appears, the ancients
could never attain.
The mode of usage consists in grinding the co-
lours with nut-oil, or with linseed-oil; the manner
of working is very different from that in fresco, or
or in water ; the oil does not dry nearly so fast; and,
after it is dry, it gives the painter an opportunity of
retouching the parts of his picture at pleasure ; or
even of entirely changing them in drawing, or in co-
louring • which in the other kinds of painting is im-
practicable. The figures likewise are capable of
greater force and boldness; the colours mix better
together ; they permit a more delicate and agreeable
2 colouring.