DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.20658#0099
INVENTION AND DESIGN. 85
But such are the vicissitudes of human affairs, that perfection is not permanent: the counte-
nance, as well as the frame of the body, has no sooner attained that state for which it was ori-
ginally created, than it makes hasty approaches to decays The florid bloom forsakes the cheeks,
and the vivid fire the eyes: the scarlet colour of the lips fade, and the beautiful white is sullied. The
change, it is true, is not immediately perceived, it nevertheless steals on by slow but sure degrees:
the lines of the face gradualijr lengthen, and the tints partially decline; but a certain sensibility of
temper, in a cultivated and virtuous mind, makes ample amends for the change: next we see the
pleasing rotundity of parts declining into vacant wrinkles : and time, like an irresistible conqueror,
triumphs over masculine strength and vigour, and demolishes every vestige of female beauty.
As the different sexes, at their first entrance into life, somewhat resemble each other in their
countenances; so having passed their perfection, and the end of nature being answered, they
lose that sexual distinction in their faces. The most beautiful woman, at a very advanced age,
has her face furrowed with wrinkles, which, as they increase, destroy the appearance of that ef-
feminate character : and the most robust and athletic man, under a load of years, loses his manly
and vigorous countenance : and his pallid complexion would very often, assisted by a disguise of
dress, enable him successfully to personate an old woman.
CHAP. VII.
of invention and design.
All that has hitherto been delivered, may, with regard to the subject of this chapter, be consi-
dered in a great measure, as preparatory only to this grand and noble part of the art. It is by
invention that the artist is able both to choose his subject and dispose of his figures to the best
advantage. Invention may be defined, the finding out probable things, and embellishing them
with a variety of probable circumstances, so as not only to make them appear sublime and beau-
tiful, but to display the subject, whatever it may be, in its greatest perfection; and to impress
the spectator with an idea, that it is not merely a representation which he beholds. The cele-
brated Du Fresnoy, in his admirable poem on the Art of Painting, has left a valuable collection
of Rules, which the greatest masters have honoured with their approbation. We should be
wanting to our young friends were we to omit those lines which relate to this part of the art, and
which may be considered as the text of this chapter. In the translation by Mr. Mason they are
as follow:
<( Some lofty theme let judgement first supply,
% _ Supremely fraught with grace and majesty ^
'S t For fancv copious, free to every charm
•|»? That lines can circumscribe, or colours warm ;
o Still happier, if that artful theme dispense
t^A poignant moral and instructive sense.
% m \Then let the virgin canvas smooth expand,
To claim the sketch and tempt the artist's hand :
Then bold Invention, all thy powers diffuse,
Of all thy sisters thou the noblest Muse :
-S § j Thee, every art, thee, every grace inspires,
« (^Tiiee^ Phoebus fills with all his brightest fires.
z Choose
But such are the vicissitudes of human affairs, that perfection is not permanent: the counte-
nance, as well as the frame of the body, has no sooner attained that state for which it was ori-
ginally created, than it makes hasty approaches to decays The florid bloom forsakes the cheeks,
and the vivid fire the eyes: the scarlet colour of the lips fade, and the beautiful white is sullied. The
change, it is true, is not immediately perceived, it nevertheless steals on by slow but sure degrees:
the lines of the face gradualijr lengthen, and the tints partially decline; but a certain sensibility of
temper, in a cultivated and virtuous mind, makes ample amends for the change: next we see the
pleasing rotundity of parts declining into vacant wrinkles : and time, like an irresistible conqueror,
triumphs over masculine strength and vigour, and demolishes every vestige of female beauty.
As the different sexes, at their first entrance into life, somewhat resemble each other in their
countenances; so having passed their perfection, and the end of nature being answered, they
lose that sexual distinction in their faces. The most beautiful woman, at a very advanced age,
has her face furrowed with wrinkles, which, as they increase, destroy the appearance of that ef-
feminate character : and the most robust and athletic man, under a load of years, loses his manly
and vigorous countenance : and his pallid complexion would very often, assisted by a disguise of
dress, enable him successfully to personate an old woman.
CHAP. VII.
of invention and design.
All that has hitherto been delivered, may, with regard to the subject of this chapter, be consi-
dered in a great measure, as preparatory only to this grand and noble part of the art. It is by
invention that the artist is able both to choose his subject and dispose of his figures to the best
advantage. Invention may be defined, the finding out probable things, and embellishing them
with a variety of probable circumstances, so as not only to make them appear sublime and beau-
tiful, but to display the subject, whatever it may be, in its greatest perfection; and to impress
the spectator with an idea, that it is not merely a representation which he beholds. The cele-
brated Du Fresnoy, in his admirable poem on the Art of Painting, has left a valuable collection
of Rules, which the greatest masters have honoured with their approbation. We should be
wanting to our young friends were we to omit those lines which relate to this part of the art, and
which may be considered as the text of this chapter. In the translation by Mr. Mason they are
as follow:
<( Some lofty theme let judgement first supply,
% _ Supremely fraught with grace and majesty ^
'S t For fancv copious, free to every charm
•|»? That lines can circumscribe, or colours warm ;
o Still happier, if that artful theme dispense
t^A poignant moral and instructive sense.
% m \Then let the virgin canvas smooth expand,
To claim the sketch and tempt the artist's hand :
Then bold Invention, all thy powers diffuse,
Of all thy sisters thou the noblest Muse :
-S § j Thee, every art, thee, every grace inspires,
« (^Tiiee^ Phoebus fills with all his brightest fires.
z Choose