DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.73714#0076
76 THE WORKS OF
trait of the soul of the artist. Every nation
would acquire great advantages if its first nobles
and most powerful people attached themselves
IO to rhe arts, as we see to have happened in all ages
when they have flourished; and some of them
cultivated them sufficiently to be enabled to under-
stand them, as we have various examples, and
especially that of the Emperor Adrian. Then
they assuredly elevate themselves to the utmost
perfection, because knowing their merits they
cherish them, and employ artists by putting them
in a situation to display their talents; for it is no
less advantageous to professors to be employed,
than to learn, the one remaining useless without
the other.
Considering now the academy of Madrid as a
school, it is necessary to make some ressections.
Even to these latter times good examples of the
arts were here wanting. In this, however, they
have at last been supplied, tteaeademy being now
possesfed of the best and most copious collection of
castsof the antique statues that are in Europe. From
this one now is in a capacity to learn proportions,
the art of expressing anatomy without harshness, a
seleCtion of fine forms, and the true character
of beauty. Yet according to my belief much
time is wanted to acquire an uniform fystem of
design, and some necessary parts of art which
they either do not teach, or teach impro-
perly. Upon these matters I will speak my
opinion ingenuously.
Although there are found in Madrid many pro-
fessors of merit, one cannot deny but there have
trait of the soul of the artist. Every nation
would acquire great advantages if its first nobles
and most powerful people attached themselves
IO to rhe arts, as we see to have happened in all ages
when they have flourished; and some of them
cultivated them sufficiently to be enabled to under-
stand them, as we have various examples, and
especially that of the Emperor Adrian. Then
they assuredly elevate themselves to the utmost
perfection, because knowing their merits they
cherish them, and employ artists by putting them
in a situation to display their talents; for it is no
less advantageous to professors to be employed,
than to learn, the one remaining useless without
the other.
Considering now the academy of Madrid as a
school, it is necessary to make some ressections.
Even to these latter times good examples of the
arts were here wanting. In this, however, they
have at last been supplied, tteaeademy being now
possesfed of the best and most copious collection of
castsof the antique statues that are in Europe. From
this one now is in a capacity to learn proportions,
the art of expressing anatomy without harshness, a
seleCtion of fine forms, and the true character
of beauty. Yet according to my belief much
time is wanted to acquire an uniform fystem of
design, and some necessary parts of art which
they either do not teach, or teach impro-
perly. Upon these matters I will speak my
opinion ingenuously.
Although there are found in Madrid many pro-
fessors of merit, one cannot deny but there have