DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.73713#0087
RAPHAEL MENGS. S3
the said hall,(executed at three different times?
and the mannerwhich thows the way held by
him to arive to such excellence in theimitation of
nature ! The painting of theAguador of Seville,
Brows, how much painters subje&ed themselves
in the beginning to natural imitation, by finishing
all the parts, and giving them that force which
appears as if one saw the model, considering
the essential difference which there is between
the parts illuminated, and thade, lo that that
same imitation of the natural style made them
give into that which was a little harsh and dry.
In the painting of the false Bacchus, who
crowns some drunkards, one sees a style more
open and free, because it imitates truth, not as
it is, but as it appears. Yet one observes a
great ease and dexterity in the forge of Vulcan,
where some of the smiths are a perfect imitation
of nature. But where, without doubt, he gave
ajust idea of the same nature, is, in the painting
ofthe Spinners, which is in his highest style, and
done in a manner which appears not to have re-
ceived any part from execution, but only from
desire; in this style it is a singular work,
Besides these paintings, there are some portraits
of Velasquez of the same style, which were the
mod beautiful he ever did.
Ribera is admirable in the imitation of na-
ture, in the clare obseure, in the touch of the
pencil, and in Brewing the accidents of the bo-
dy, the wrinkles, the hair of the body, &c. His
style is always powerful, but does not equal Ve-
lasquez in the knowledge of light and shade$
the said hall,(executed at three different times?
and the mannerwhich thows the way held by
him to arive to such excellence in theimitation of
nature ! The painting of theAguador of Seville,
Brows, how much painters subje&ed themselves
in the beginning to natural imitation, by finishing
all the parts, and giving them that force which
appears as if one saw the model, considering
the essential difference which there is between
the parts illuminated, and thade, lo that that
same imitation of the natural style made them
give into that which was a little harsh and dry.
In the painting of the false Bacchus, who
crowns some drunkards, one sees a style more
open and free, because it imitates truth, not as
it is, but as it appears. Yet one observes a
great ease and dexterity in the forge of Vulcan,
where some of the smiths are a perfect imitation
of nature. But where, without doubt, he gave
ajust idea of the same nature, is, in the painting
ofthe Spinners, which is in his highest style, and
done in a manner which appears not to have re-
ceived any part from execution, but only from
desire; in this style it is a singular work,
Besides these paintings, there are some portraits
of Velasquez of the same style, which were the
mod beautiful he ever did.
Ribera is admirable in the imitation of na-
ture, in the clare obseure, in the touch of the
pencil, and in Brewing the accidents of the bo-
dy, the wrinkles, the hair of the body, &c. His
style is always powerful, but does not equal Ve-
lasquez in the knowledge of light and shade$