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Hogarth, William, 1697-1764 / The analysis of beauty : written with a view of fixing the fluctuating ideas of taste
(1753)
Chap. XII: of light and shade, and the manner in which objects are explained to the eye by them, pp. 93-106
Page 93
ANALYSISof BEAUTY C H A P. XII. Of LIGHT and SHADE, and the manner in which ojects are explained to the eye by them. ALTH O U G H both this and the next chapter may feem more particularly relative to the art of paint- ing, than any of the foregoing; yet, as hitherto, I have endeavour'd to be underftood by every reader, fo here alfo I fhall avoid, as much as the fubjecl will permit, fpeaking of what would only be well-conceived by painters. There is fuch a fubtile variety in the nature of ap- pearances, that probably we ihall not-be able to gain much ground by this enquiry, unlefs we exert and ap- ply the full ufe of every fenfe, that will convey to us any information concerning them. So far as'we have already gone, the fenfe of feeling, as well as that of feeing, hath been apply'd to; fo that perhaps a man born blind, may, by his better touch than is common to thofe who have their fight, together with the regular procefs that has been here given of lines, fo feel out the nature of forms, as to make a to- lerable judgment of what is beautiful to fight. Here again our other fenfes muff affiff us, notwith- flanding in this chapter we fhall be more confined to what is communicated to the eye by rays of light; and tho' things muff now be confider'd as appearances only; pro-
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