DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.20658#0223
VARIETIES OF PAINTING.
20Q
discouraged, since the mechanical parts of painting may be thereby much improved: yet this
copying ought not to be indiscriminate, for even in the greatest performances many parts are
often common-place, but confined to certain choice selections of those beauties and excellen-
cies by which the original artist acquired his high fame.
CHAP. V.
of the different kinds of painting.
EVERY object in nature being capable to be represented by painting, the art has been
arranged into different classes, and generally cultivated by different artists.
Of these classes the follozcing are the chief:
1. History Painting, which comprehends representations of all events, real or fabulous, sacred
of profane, of which accounts have been made public. To excel in this species of painting is
to attain the highest perfection of the art, and it has accordingly been eagerly studied by the
greatest masters.
2. Rural Painting, being a representation of a country life, of villages and cottages, with the
air, manners and occupations of their inhabitants. In this class Teniers, Breughel, Watteau, &c.
have gained high reputation, by the true and pleasing manner in which their subjects are placed
before us.
3. Portrait Painting, or imitations of individual persons or groups; in which last branch
some eminent artists have allied their productions very closely to history pieces.
Portraits have employed the pencils of the greatest masters of all ages ; and the practice of
this class of painting has been long, and is still the principal employment of those of our own
country, and that to a degree far beyond what prevails upon the Continent.
4. Grotesque Painting, or representations of such scenes as the nocturnal meetings of witches
and enchanters, the exhibitions of mountebanks, &c. In this species sundry Dutch and Flemish
artists have greatly distinguished themselves.
5. Battle Pieees or, more properly, representations of skirmishes and rencountres of small
parties, in which alone the modern art of war can furnish any rational subject for picturesque
effect.
G. Landscapes, a class of painting susceptible of the highest perfection, and which may with
great propriety be combined with almost every other class.
Landscapes in which water is introduced, in all its variety of appearance, demand a great share
of talent in the artist, beyond the mere expression of any other objects in nature, and are the
most difficult to excel in.
7. Sea Pieces, in which are introduced the ocean, harbours, mouths of rivers, &c. with vessels,
boats, 8cc. The various accidents to which the sea is liable, in storms, or calms furnish vast
scope to the genius and observation of the painter. In this class Backhuysen, Vandervelde,
Blome and other artists of former times have gained great reputation; and the French painter
Vernet, has of late been highly esteemed for his sea-ports.
3 h 8. Night
i
20Q
discouraged, since the mechanical parts of painting may be thereby much improved: yet this
copying ought not to be indiscriminate, for even in the greatest performances many parts are
often common-place, but confined to certain choice selections of those beauties and excellen-
cies by which the original artist acquired his high fame.
CHAP. V.
of the different kinds of painting.
EVERY object in nature being capable to be represented by painting, the art has been
arranged into different classes, and generally cultivated by different artists.
Of these classes the follozcing are the chief:
1. History Painting, which comprehends representations of all events, real or fabulous, sacred
of profane, of which accounts have been made public. To excel in this species of painting is
to attain the highest perfection of the art, and it has accordingly been eagerly studied by the
greatest masters.
2. Rural Painting, being a representation of a country life, of villages and cottages, with the
air, manners and occupations of their inhabitants. In this class Teniers, Breughel, Watteau, &c.
have gained high reputation, by the true and pleasing manner in which their subjects are placed
before us.
3. Portrait Painting, or imitations of individual persons or groups; in which last branch
some eminent artists have allied their productions very closely to history pieces.
Portraits have employed the pencils of the greatest masters of all ages ; and the practice of
this class of painting has been long, and is still the principal employment of those of our own
country, and that to a degree far beyond what prevails upon the Continent.
4. Grotesque Painting, or representations of such scenes as the nocturnal meetings of witches
and enchanters, the exhibitions of mountebanks, &c. In this species sundry Dutch and Flemish
artists have greatly distinguished themselves.
5. Battle Pieees or, more properly, representations of skirmishes and rencountres of small
parties, in which alone the modern art of war can furnish any rational subject for picturesque
effect.
G. Landscapes, a class of painting susceptible of the highest perfection, and which may with
great propriety be combined with almost every other class.
Landscapes in which water is introduced, in all its variety of appearance, demand a great share
of talent in the artist, beyond the mere expression of any other objects in nature, and are the
most difficult to excel in.
7. Sea Pieces, in which are introduced the ocean, harbours, mouths of rivers, &c. with vessels,
boats, 8cc. The various accidents to which the sea is liable, in storms, or calms furnish vast
scope to the genius and observation of the painter. In this class Backhuysen, Vandervelde,
Blome and other artists of former times have gained great reputation; and the French painter
Vernet, has of late been highly esteemed for his sea-ports.
3 h 8. Night
i