The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1858-03-11
ft"m Mc Cruyon.
DISCOURSE ON THE ARTS.
ET III rERi;ON.

1'""H"'c" .ifo"t t"c fFtHch, iOF Inc CF"y-
on, by Rembrandt pc,lc
To speak Of painting is to make its eulogy
The utmost pomp Of cloqucncc can add moth
lnS to It's excellence. The most delicate
touches, the bolest figures, the noblcst
terms, the most lively images, can add moth
ing 60 the esteem which has ever been cx-
cited tor this Art. Venus and the Graccs,
to cnchant It's, have no need of that false
dress and lcccttul ornament which often
serve to cover the defects Of Nature. Such
Is painting whose glorious value is attcstcd
t'y the number Of ii, admirers; for who is
im>cnsible To the charms Of this delightful
Art! Who is not filled with admiration ut
the sight Of the masterpieces of past ages,
as we'll rs those Of the present day!
The lively and sudden impression made
on us Icy the pencil of the great artist,
gives to painting her ranl, II, the sister Of
poetry, and an equal share of applause
both furnish us with IN abundant source of
pleasures, always new one ag!tatcs the
heart, the other cncliants the mind The
eyes, the ears are clarmcd-anl both affect
us with an equal power. Painting, which is
silent poetry, oilcis to our view whatever
the warmth Of genius, the fire of lively
imagination, can produce 10y the most deli
cate hand aid the l,arpic<t touches. Poet
ry, which is audible painting, delights us
by its harmony, and instructs us by the
memorable. actions Of heroes, and marks
them with the stamp Of Immortality. In
fact, these two Arts excite in lis sensations
SD pleasant, and deceive us so agrecalv,
that the canvas almost brc,,l.cs, and the
most inanimatc object swcIs into life.
How universal is the Use Of painting 1t
is the language ofall the earth, Her univcr-
sal expressions address themselves to. every
nation, and speak t. their eyes with Il native
cl"!u"ncc. Painting, like beauty and har-
m"nv, is nowhere Il stranger. Her power
acknowledges no limits. Domestic eve
rywhcrc, sovereign o! every country, she en-
crclscs her powcras triumphant queen Of the
world. Wherever there are human beings
of dclicac: and sentiment, there are her al
tars and her temples.
Painting, as the rival Of Nature, muIiplics
her various forms, and gives them new cx-
istcncc. At her order phenomena arise,
masterpieces blossom. She speaks, and the
earth, which she has created, becomes fertile
and produces fruit-tllc fields are spread
with soft vcrdurc, aud display the richest
colorng-a thousand flowers delight the
sight 10y the variety Of their hucs. Every
thing becomes animated by her voicc-thc
skies brighten; the trees grow the forest is
pcoplcd; the mountains rise the waters
hollow out their ciannels; the sea is COW
cred with vessels cities are built, and su-
pcrb palaces arise. Sometimes, such is her
Gag gc flight, she penclr,tcs the sanctuary of
Heaven, and seeking Il divine communion,
attempts to personliy the Deity. Some.
times, with Il Jess elevated fl ght, she is
pleased to rctracc the actions of mere NOR
ta!s: at others, she sounds the heroic trump,
or touches the tender ipe; sometimes she
loves to represent opposing armies, fright
fully intermingled in the heat and turmoil Of
battle.
More energetic, more impressive than elo-
qucnce, painting alone possesses the advan-
tagc OF exhibiting every Object with its
proper color, and in all its truth. A single
glance is sufficient to receive the most lust
and precise idea OF what the longest and
most brilliant discourse can only in part de-
Encate and impcrfrctly portray. She seizcs,
She surprises Nature, in her productions
She examines and combines their me-
chanism-slc initiates them-copics all
their appearances. TO Nature she owes her
finest coloring, but she selects, elnbellishes,
and dresses it with new grace.
What do we not owe to thee, charming
Art! 10 please us thou takcst thousand
new forms, ranging from one beauty to an
other. Within the city walls we receive
from thee the charms Of pastoral beauty
Amidst the retirement Of the country thou
dost display the pomp of cities; and in the
gloom Of winter sprcadest out the laughing
dress Of spring. All hasten to share thy
favors-thou art the amusement of social
life, the ornament of every state, the pleas
ure of every condition Of man. The rich,
in the bosom of the grandeur, delight in
thcc-and kings descend from their thrones
to bestow their admiration.
Observe the man of feeling before the
picture by n great master. The most hi
den charms, the most secret springs put in
play by the painter, invited to his penetrat-
ing eye-hothing escapes him. lie. sees
the disposition of the whole the order, the