DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.62783#0109
ARMENINO.
41
without changing, and particularly in the open air; and this because
they require a very dry situation, and a very dry ground for the
picture ; but we shall treat of the qualities of each more clearly in their
proper places. Now, be it known, that all colours, unless flat tints of
them are to be laid, are mixed in various modes, because some of
them are made light and some dark, so that from one single colour
are made different colours of the same kind, according as white or
black is mixed with them all. But as this depends entirely upon
the skill of the artist; so the errors arising from it, are caused either
by the colours being badly mixed and badly united, or by the hand
of the artist not being firm or practised in managing and harmonizing
them, so that they may remain pure, clean, and properly united
together : for which reasons I shall Always exhort young men, to
practise these things continually, in order to gain experience, and
know their effects, that they may afterwards carry them out in prac-
tice with confidence. For as one of the principal intentions of the
poet, is to give delight by continually diversifying his poem with
various episodes, so in painting, the same variety should be sought
by different and gay colours. Although the subject and the compo-
sition may be pleasing in themselves, yet, if the colouring, which is
the manner of explaining them, is not agreeable to the eyes of the
spectators, it will be impossible to produce a good effect; because,
by colours well united and harmonized, is produced that beauty,
which catches the eyes of the ignorant, and enters imperceptibly into
the minds of the wise. It will be seen, that true resemblance arises
from the proper use of the colours, which, the more lively they are,
the more they strike and please persons, and particularly the nobility,
the greater number of whom use them for embellishing their houses.
This shews that they are more affected by the pleasure which they
receive from the variety and gayness of the colours, than by their
admiration for the design of the picture; thus pursuing rather the
gratification of the eye, than the improvement of the mind, because
a beautiful and harmonious variety of colour, produces the same
effect on the eyes as is produced on the ears by harmonious music,
when the bass notes correspond to the high notes, and the middle
notes also sound in concord; so that from this variety is made a
sonorous and almost wonderful union of measures, which fills the
mind with admiration.
But the whole science of colouring may be reduced to this, that,
when a picture is composed with regularity, of various sorts of colours,
41
without changing, and particularly in the open air; and this because
they require a very dry situation, and a very dry ground for the
picture ; but we shall treat of the qualities of each more clearly in their
proper places. Now, be it known, that all colours, unless flat tints of
them are to be laid, are mixed in various modes, because some of
them are made light and some dark, so that from one single colour
are made different colours of the same kind, according as white or
black is mixed with them all. But as this depends entirely upon
the skill of the artist; so the errors arising from it, are caused either
by the colours being badly mixed and badly united, or by the hand
of the artist not being firm or practised in managing and harmonizing
them, so that they may remain pure, clean, and properly united
together : for which reasons I shall Always exhort young men, to
practise these things continually, in order to gain experience, and
know their effects, that they may afterwards carry them out in prac-
tice with confidence. For as one of the principal intentions of the
poet, is to give delight by continually diversifying his poem with
various episodes, so in painting, the same variety should be sought
by different and gay colours. Although the subject and the compo-
sition may be pleasing in themselves, yet, if the colouring, which is
the manner of explaining them, is not agreeable to the eyes of the
spectators, it will be impossible to produce a good effect; because,
by colours well united and harmonized, is produced that beauty,
which catches the eyes of the ignorant, and enters imperceptibly into
the minds of the wise. It will be seen, that true resemblance arises
from the proper use of the colours, which, the more lively they are,
the more they strike and please persons, and particularly the nobility,
the greater number of whom use them for embellishing their houses.
This shews that they are more affected by the pleasure which they
receive from the variety and gayness of the colours, than by their
admiration for the design of the picture; thus pursuing rather the
gratification of the eye, than the improvement of the mind, because
a beautiful and harmonious variety of colour, produces the same
effect on the eyes as is produced on the ears by harmonious music,
when the bass notes correspond to the high notes, and the middle
notes also sound in concord; so that from this variety is made a
sonorous and almost wonderful union of measures, which fills the
mind with admiration.
But the whole science of colouring may be reduced to this, that,
when a picture is composed with regularity, of various sorts of colours,