Howard, Frank: Colour, as a means of art: being an adaptation of the experience of professors to the practice of amateurs (London, 1838)

62 ABSTRACT PRINCIPLES.

may throw some light upon another, which will be
noticed; that although painting is an imitative art,
imitation, to the extent of deception, does not
constitute its highest excellence.

The eye is excited by Colour, and the object of
painting, independent of poetical expression or
character, is to excite the eye agreeably. But green
is found to excite the eye less than any other tint
(thereby affording some corroboration to the idea
that, strictly speaking, its opposite red, is the only
true colour,) not even excepting black; so that it
acts as an opiate, and is used for counteracting the
brightness of the sun, by means of parasols or
glasses, and to guard weak eyes from the effects of
light by means of silk shades.

It is thrown out as a suggestion, that in looking
at a picture in which excitement to the degree of
pleasure is expected, a disappointment may arise
from finding a prevalence of those tints which do
not excite, except to a very slight extent, and that
thus a green picture may occasion dissatisfaction.
In looking at Nature we do not wish to be always
excited, and green is admired or valued as affording
repose, but in looking at a picture, the very object
is excitement, within certain limits, which green
has a tendency to destroy.