Page:Thoughts on art and life.djvu/143

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habit of putting into practice and producing his art.

56.

Mathematics, such as appertain to painting, are necessary to the painter, also the absence of companions who are alien to his studies; his brain must be versatile and susceptible to the variety of objects which it encounters, and free from distracting cares. And if in the contemplation and definition of one subject a second subject intervenes,— as happens when the mind is filled with an object, — in such cases he must decide which of the two objects is the more difficult of definition, and pursue that one until he arrives at perfect clearness of definition, and then turn to the definition of the other. And above all things his mind should be like the surface of the mirror, which shows as many colours as there are objects it reflects ; and his companions should study in the same manner, and if such cannot be found he should meditate in solitude with himself, and he will not find more profitable company.

57.

In the study of natural causes and reasons light affords the greatest pleasure to the student; among t the great facts of mathematics the certainty of demonstration most signally elevates the mind matlcs of the student. Perspective must therefore be

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