. . . I have endeavoured to reduce the idea of beauty to general principles: . . . the only means of
advancing science; of clearing the mind. . .
[Sir
Joshua Proves that]Bacons
Philosophy makes both Statesmen & Artists Fools &
Knaves
DISCOURSE IV
[P 78, back of title]
The Following Discourse[is ] Particularly Calculated for the Setting
Ignorant & Vulgar Artists as Models of Execution in Art. Let him who will, follow
such advice I will not. I know that The Mans Execution is as his Conception & No
better
[P 79] The value and rank of every art is in proportion to the mental labour employed in it, or the
mental pleasure produced by it.
Why does he not always allow This
Begin Page 650
[P 80] [The principle of] leaving out particularities, and retaining only general ideas. . . extends
itself to every part of the Art. . . .
General Ideas
Invention in Painting does not imply the invention of the subject; for that is commonly supplied
by the Poet or Historian.
All but Names of Persons & Places is Invention both in Poetry & Painting
[P 82] . . . the. . . most dangerous error is on the side of minuteness; . . .
[P 83] All smaller things, however perfect in their way, are to be sacrificed without mercy to the
greater.
Even in portraits, the grace, and. . . the likeness, consists more in taking the general air, than in
observing the exact similitude of every feature.
How Ignorant
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