Gell, William: Pompeiana: the topography, edifices and ornaments of Pompeii ; the result of excavations since 1819 ; in two volumes (Band 2) (London, 1832)

THE PI.ATES. 107

be more visible in outline. The Romans only
copied themselves and the Greeks ; there-
fore they had not that range over all ages
and all situations which is open to modern
art. The Greeks, who only depicted them-
selves, and an occasional Persian or Ama-
zon, were still more confined as to models.
The shading of a modern picture is gene-
rally artificially contrived by a light let in
by a small window, or even a small hole in
a shutter purposely closed, and which pro-
duces an effect rarely observed in nature.
The ancients, on the contrary, seem to have
preferred the light of day for their works,
and one curious advantage is gained by
it. The pictures of the ancients produce a
pleasing effect when only surrounded by a
simple line of red, while the very best of
modern paintings is very much indebted to
the carver and gilder for its gorgeous and
burnished frame, without which its beauties
are so much diminished that it almost ceases
to be a decoration to an apartment.

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