DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.18825#0081
lect. iii.] history of art. 11
deners call them, are still varied by two cavities, and
one round eminence in each.
<f Could a more elegant simple form than this have
been found, it is probable that judicious Architect,
Sir Christopher Wrex. would not have chosen
the pine-apples for the two terminations of the sides
of the front of St. Paul's : and perhaps the globe
and cross, though a finely a'aried figure, which ter-
minates the dome, would not have had the preference
of situation, if a religious motive had not been the
occasion.
" Thus we see simplicity gives beauty even to
variety, as it makes it more easily understood, and
should be ever studied in the works of Art, as it
serves to prevent perplexity in forms of elegance.
" The hair of the head is another very obvious
instance, which, being designed chiefly as an orna-
ment, proves more or less so, according to the form
it naturally takes, or is put into by art. The most
amiable in itself is the flowing curl; and the many
waving and contrasted turns of naturally inter-
mingling locks ravish the eye with the pleasure of
the pursuit, especially when they are put in motion
by a gentle breeze. The Poet knows it, as well as
the Painter, and has described the wanton ringlets
waving in the wind.
cc And yet to shew how excess ought to be avoided
in intricacy, as well as in every other principle, the
very same head of hair, wisped and matted together,
would make the most disagreeable figure ; because
the eye would be perplexed, and at a fault, and un-
able
deners call them, are still varied by two cavities, and
one round eminence in each.
<f Could a more elegant simple form than this have
been found, it is probable that judicious Architect,
Sir Christopher Wrex. would not have chosen
the pine-apples for the two terminations of the sides
of the front of St. Paul's : and perhaps the globe
and cross, though a finely a'aried figure, which ter-
minates the dome, would not have had the preference
of situation, if a religious motive had not been the
occasion.
" Thus we see simplicity gives beauty even to
variety, as it makes it more easily understood, and
should be ever studied in the works of Art, as it
serves to prevent perplexity in forms of elegance.
" The hair of the head is another very obvious
instance, which, being designed chiefly as an orna-
ment, proves more or less so, according to the form
it naturally takes, or is put into by art. The most
amiable in itself is the flowing curl; and the many
waving and contrasted turns of naturally inter-
mingling locks ravish the eye with the pleasure of
the pursuit, especially when they are put in motion
by a gentle breeze. The Poet knows it, as well as
the Painter, and has described the wanton ringlets
waving in the wind.
cc And yet to shew how excess ought to be avoided
in intricacy, as well as in every other principle, the
very same head of hair, wisped and matted together,
would make the most disagreeable figure ; because
the eye would be perplexed, and at a fault, and un-
able