DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.18734#0116
io8
L A Y
Artifts acknowledge that correct defign is only to be
attained by ftudy of living nature, and therefore, not-
whhftanding the natural mobility of the life, and the
instability alfo of the light, they yet attentively fludy
nature. Wherefore then fhould they not furmount
the fame difficulties in treating drapery, and why fhould
they copy from a lifelefs block, in hope, perhaps, of
imitating fomewhat more nicely the exactitude of folds,
or the minutice of the demi-tints; and this at the expence
of the ardour and vigour of inftantaneous effects? Nor
is this all ; for by having conftantly before their eyes
the imperfect and clumfy proportions of a layman, they
will be liable to flide into an awkwardnefs of defign and
reprefentation, which cannot but be injurious to their
works.. Add to this, it often happens, that the drapery
they ftudied is much more highly finifhed than the
naked, or principal parts, whereby the unity of the
imitation is lofr,-and the care and pains of the artift
worfe than loft.
Thefe evils muff be avoided in the ufe of the lay-
man, and when it is treated with freedom and liberty,
its ferviccs are great: The means of attaining fuch
freedom are, to ftudy this article (drapery) in nature at
large, and to endeavour at a facility in giving to each
fpecies of fluff that touch which it requires, with light-
nefs and dexterity ; whereby will be avoided the too
clofe imitation of thofe innumerable little lights, reflec-
tions, and trifiing demi-tints and fhades, which be-
wilder the artift who too clofely copies a motionlefs
layman.
LAME,
L A Y
Artifts acknowledge that correct defign is only to be
attained by ftudy of living nature, and therefore, not-
whhftanding the natural mobility of the life, and the
instability alfo of the light, they yet attentively fludy
nature. Wherefore then fhould they not furmount
the fame difficulties in treating drapery, and why fhould
they copy from a lifelefs block, in hope, perhaps, of
imitating fomewhat more nicely the exactitude of folds,
or the minutice of the demi-tints; and this at the expence
of the ardour and vigour of inftantaneous effects? Nor
is this all ; for by having conftantly before their eyes
the imperfect and clumfy proportions of a layman, they
will be liable to flide into an awkwardnefs of defign and
reprefentation, which cannot but be injurious to their
works.. Add to this, it often happens, that the drapery
they ftudied is much more highly finifhed than the
naked, or principal parts, whereby the unity of the
imitation is lofr,-and the care and pains of the artift
worfe than loft.
Thefe evils muff be avoided in the ufe of the lay-
man, and when it is treated with freedom and liberty,
its ferviccs are great: The means of attaining fuch
freedom are, to ftudy this article (drapery) in nature at
large, and to endeavour at a facility in giving to each
fpecies of fluff that touch which it requires, with light-
nefs and dexterity ; whereby will be avoided the too
clofe imitation of thofe innumerable little lights, reflec-
tions, and trifiing demi-tints and fhades, which be-
wilder the artift who too clofely copies a motionlefs
layman.
LAME,