DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.18734#0070
62
COM
feet genius, and enable it to exprefs itfelf; but genius
does not originate in ftudy.
The different parts of a picture ought to form one
whole, one affemblage, which by their relative corre-
fpond cncc to c?i ch other, fhould impart fatisfaction and
pleafure. Nothing mould be the work of chance, or
appear as if placed where it is by caprice, but each ob-
ject requires its place, its relative and appropriate pro-
portions, and each figure fhould appear juftly engaged
in its office and fituation ; otherwife a picture is a mere
confufion of objects.
At a certain diftance, too great to diftinguifh the ob-
jects particularly, or even to infpect their actions, the
whole of a picture fhould appear an agreeable collection
of malfes, lights, and fhadows, whofe forms, and their
relations, of whatever nature they may be, pleafe, and
as it were regale the eye ; the effect as well of colour-
ing, as of other principles, prefenting an agreeable and
engaging afpect.
The greater maffes cannot produce tins effect, except
as they are juuicioufly fubdivided, and varied in their
parts.
Whatever be the fubjedt treated, it admits only one
point of time for the action. And all that a painter
includes in his picture, ought to conduce to the reprefen-
tation of this very inftant; whatever relates to actions
paft, or future, except as it elucidates or augments the
prelenr, is fo far an infringement on the laws of com-
pofition.
Every action furniflies divers in/iants. The artifl
i mufl
COM
feet genius, and enable it to exprefs itfelf; but genius
does not originate in ftudy.
The different parts of a picture ought to form one
whole, one affemblage, which by their relative corre-
fpond cncc to c?i ch other, fhould impart fatisfaction and
pleafure. Nothing mould be the work of chance, or
appear as if placed where it is by caprice, but each ob-
ject requires its place, its relative and appropriate pro-
portions, and each figure fhould appear juftly engaged
in its office and fituation ; otherwife a picture is a mere
confufion of objects.
At a certain diftance, too great to diftinguifh the ob-
jects particularly, or even to infpect their actions, the
whole of a picture fhould appear an agreeable collection
of malfes, lights, and fhadows, whofe forms, and their
relations, of whatever nature they may be, pleafe, and
as it were regale the eye ; the effect as well of colour-
ing, as of other principles, prefenting an agreeable and
engaging afpect.
The greater maffes cannot produce tins effect, except
as they are juuicioufly fubdivided, and varied in their
parts.
Whatever be the fubjedt treated, it admits only one
point of time for the action. And all that a painter
includes in his picture, ought to conduce to the reprefen-
tation of this very inftant; whatever relates to actions
paft, or future, except as it elucidates or augments the
prelenr, is fo far an infringement on the laws of com-
pofition.
Every action furniflies divers in/iants. The artifl
i mufl