Letters Upon the Art of Miniature Painting (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1822 Excerpt: ... LETTER XVII. Mr. Deville to Miss Howard. Paris, 10th December, 1821. I Find that I have lost nothing by waiting, my dear pupil, for you have admirably fulfilled the desire which I some time since expressed, to receive a description of the charming country where you reside. It appears to me, that the surrounding objects have become more interesting to you since your last change of residence: such is the never-failing effect produced by works of genius upon a lively imagination. This irresistible ascendant of the arts, joined to the brilliant aspect of nature, by enlarging our ideas, developes at the same time faculties of the heart and mind till then unknown. The productions of great men create a noble emulation: the beneficence and the riches bestowed by the Author of nature, raise in our hearts a sentiment of sensibility and gratitude, which we find pleasure in communicating to others. The happiness I have enjoyed, and which I every day more highly appreciate--that of possessing your confidence and friendship, entitled me to receive from you the sweet and innocent expressions of all the different sensations which have assailed you at the same time. You were addressing a painter, and have therefore made use of lively and transparent colours. I will confess that I have taken advantage of them, to read far into your heart: do not, however, be uneasy, I am very discreet, and shall not mention my discoveries to any one, not even to you, dear Ellen. With this determination, I hasten to resume my bonnet de docteur, and to continue my grave lessons, by saying, that, with intelligence and natural disposition, we may execute with more or less ability every thing that I have already explained to you. But when we are on the point of undertaking to paint from nature, t...