DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.73713#0012
S THE WORKS OF.
was beautiful. Nevertheless, they thought to
have touched the suramit of perfection, because
they possessed the most necessary parts os the
art; but they were very distant from the moll
noble parts. They dedicated themselves to fol-
low truth, without regarding beauty ; nor did
they know the Superiority of the Italian school
at that time, whicli was revived almost a new by
means of the Caracci's, when Italy had reposed it-
self a little after its unhappy Rate, in which it
had been tormented by the wars of Charles the
Fifth, and Francis the First.
Philip the Fourth honoured painting much,
in the person of Don James Velasquez ; but
took not the good road to persection, because
although he had got modelled some of the beft
ancient statues at Rome, they were sepulchred
in the palace of Madrid, where no one knew or
could profit himself by them.
Charles the Second thought of making great
paintings in the Escurial, and at Madrid ; but
as none os his vassals knew the art of fresco,
either for want of opportunity, or by the
exercise directed to the siinple study os
imitation; he saw himself obliged to send to
Italy for Lucas Giordano. The fortune, ap-
plause, and facility in the painting of that fa-
mous Neapolitan, led many Spaniards to imi-
tate him : but as the ability of Giordano ar-
rose from pra&ice, acquired by imitating the
masters of all the best Italian schools; the Spa-
niards deprived of these means, could not
follow their intent; and the worst was, that
was beautiful. Nevertheless, they thought to
have touched the suramit of perfection, because
they possessed the most necessary parts os the
art; but they were very distant from the moll
noble parts. They dedicated themselves to fol-
low truth, without regarding beauty ; nor did
they know the Superiority of the Italian school
at that time, whicli was revived almost a new by
means of the Caracci's, when Italy had reposed it-
self a little after its unhappy Rate, in which it
had been tormented by the wars of Charles the
Fifth, and Francis the First.
Philip the Fourth honoured painting much,
in the person of Don James Velasquez ; but
took not the good road to persection, because
although he had got modelled some of the beft
ancient statues at Rome, they were sepulchred
in the palace of Madrid, where no one knew or
could profit himself by them.
Charles the Second thought of making great
paintings in the Escurial, and at Madrid ; but
as none os his vassals knew the art of fresco,
either for want of opportunity, or by the
exercise directed to the siinple study os
imitation; he saw himself obliged to send to
Italy for Lucas Giordano. The fortune, ap-
plause, and facility in the painting of that fa-
mous Neapolitan, led many Spaniards to imi-
tate him : but as the ability of Giordano ar-
rose from pra&ice, acquired by imitating the
masters of all the best Italian schools; the Spa-
niards deprived of these means, could not
follow their intent; and the worst was, that