The Works of William Hogarth (Volume 2); (Including the 'Analysis of Beauty, ') Elucidated by Descriptions, Critical, Moral, and Historical (Founded ... to Which Is Prefixed Some Account of His Life - Softcover

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This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1812. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... THE ANALYSIS OF BEAUTY. CHAPTER I. OF FITNESS. Fitness of the parts to the design for which every individual thing is formed, either by art or nature, is first to be considered, as it is of the greatest consequence to the beauty of the whole. This is soevident, that even the sense of seeing, the great in let of beauty, is itself so strongly biassed by it, that if the mind, on account of this kind of value in a form, esteem it beautiful, though on all other considerations it be not so, the eye grows insensible of its want of beauty, and even begins to be pleased, especially after it has been a considerable time acquainted with it. It is well known, on the other hand, that forms of great elegance often disgust the eye by being improperly applied. Thus twisted columns are undoubtedly ornamental; but as they convey an idea of weakness, they always displease, when they are improperly made VOL. If. B use of as supporters to any thing that is bulky, or appears heavy. The bulks and proportions of objects are governed by fitness and propriety. It is this that has established the size and proportion of chairs, tables, and all sorts of utensils and furniture. It is this that has fixed the dimensions of pillars, arches, &c. for the support of great weight, and so regulated all the orders in architecture, as well as the sizes of windows and doors, &c. Thus though a building were ever so large, the steps of the stairs, the seats in the windows must be continued of their usual heights, or they would lose their beauty with their fitness: and in ship-building the dimensions of every part are confined and regulated by fitness for sailing. When a vessel sails well, the sailors always call her a beauty; the two ideas have such a connexion! The general dimensions of the parts of the...

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