Page:Thoughts on art and life.djvu/126

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the like; and these sciences are altogether alien to the poet. Therefore he is an agent who brings together diverse persons in order to strike a bar- gain; and if you wish to know the true function of the poet, you will find that he is no other than an assembler of goods stolen from other sciences, with which he makes a deceptive mixture, or more honestly said, a fictitious mixture. And with regard to this fiction the poet is free to compete with the painter, since it constitutes the least part of the painting.

28.

The painter emulates and competes with nature.

29.

He who blames painting blames nature, because the works of the painter represent the works of nature, and for this reason he who blames in this fashion lacks feeling.

30.

If the painter wishes to see beautiful things which will enchant him he is able to beget them; if he wishes to see monstrous things which terrify, or grotesque and laughable things, or truly piteous things, he can dispose of all these; if he wishes to evoke places and deserts, shady or dark re- treats in the hot season, he represents them, and likewise warm places in the cold season. If he wishes valleys, if he wishes to descry a great

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