The painting of the ancients in three bookes: declaring by historicall observations and examples, the beginning, progresse, and consummation of that most noble art. And how those ancient artificers attained to their still so much admired excellencie. Written first in Latine by Franciscus Junius, F.F. And now by him Englished, with some additions and alterations.

CHAP. XI.

ALthough Artificers might justly seeme to bee emboldened by the successe of Art, yet did they never runne on with such a confident rashnesse, as to forget the care due unto these Arts. It is a good saying of Fabius Maxi∣mus , All things shall bee sure and cleare unto him that doth not make too much haste: rashnesse is improvident and blinde. An artificer therefore cannot be without diligence, a great help of a mean wit also, sayth Seneca the Rhetorician . Metrocles was wont to say, That houses and such like things were to be bought with silver, but that learning could not bee had without the expence of time and care . Pamphilus his schoole, as we have shewed before out of Pliny, did not dis∣misse the disciples, unlesse they had passed their ten years in an orderly course of learning. This was a most laudable cu∣stom, seeing advancement doth most of all consist in diligence, saith Quintilian . Neither did the Ancients when they came forth out of the shadow of the schooles to the pub∣lique light, instantly forsake that diligence used about the first beginnings of Art; but they did rather resolve to fol∣low with a constant perseverance, what they had begunne with a studious industry. Nicias his diligence hath beene mentioned before out of Plutarch. Protogenes when hee was about the picture of Jalysus, is said to have lived by moist∣ned lupines, as being able to satisfie hunger and thirst both at once; lest he should dull his sences too much with the sweetnesse

of meat. He laid his colours foure times over this picture, for a de∣fence against all injuries and age; that the lowermost colour might succeed when the uppermost should faile. Pliny xxxv. 10. Apel∣les had this custome, saith Pliny in the same place, that hee ne∣ver would suffer himselfe to be so much imployed a whole day, but that he remembred ever to exercise the art by drawing of a line: and this custome of his became a common proverbe. Yea, we may learn out of the following words also, that Apelles by the meanes of this diligence put downe Protogenes in that most famous strife of drawing subtill lines. It is pretty, what fell out between Protogenes and Apelles, saith Pliny. Protogenes did live at Rhodes; whither when Apelles was come, desirous to know the workes of him whom he knew onely by fame, he made haste to goe to his shop. Protogenes himselfe was absent, but an old woman kept a large boord, alreadie fitted upon the Asse or scaffold, to have something drawne upon it. The old woman having answered, that Protogenes was gone forth, asked withall, whom shee should say had looked for him. Tell him, said Apelles, that this is the man that sought him: and taking a pencill, hee drew an ex∣ceeding thinne line with one or other colour upon the boord. The old woman at Protogenes his returne shewed him instantly what was done. And it is reported that the artificer, having considered the finenesse of the line, did forthwith professe himselfe to know that Apelles was come; seeing hee held it impossible that such an abso∣lute work should be done by any body else. It is added also, that Pro∣togenes drew a thinner line with another colour over the said line, bidding the old woman at his going forth, that she should shew this unto him that had asked for him and tell him that this was the man he did looke for. It fellout so. Apelles returneth: but being asha∣med to be overcome, he divided the lines with a third colour, not leaving an further place for subtiltie. Whereupon Protogenes confessing himselfe overcome, did hastily runne to the haven, see∣king

the stranger: this same boord was left unto the following ages without any change, to the astonishment of all men, but of Artificers chiefly. Wee have greedily viewed it before the first firing of Caesar his house in the pallace, where it perished, con∣taining in a more spacious widenesse nothing else, but such lines as could hardly be discerned by the eye: so that this boord among the brave works of many Artificers did seeme to be emp∣tie, alluring the spectators therefore and being indeed more no∣ble then any other worke. I know well enough that many will not understand these words of Plinie after that plaine mea∣ning the alledged place urgeth; yet doe they not perswade us to take these words otherwise, then of the strife of lines most subtilly drawne with a light and gentle hand. But of this, God willing, some where else: seeing it is better wee should pursue our intent, by comparing that carefull dili∣gence of the ancients with the carelesse negligence of these our times.

§ 2. And first we thinke good not to hinder the per∣swasion of them who esteeme our inbred abilities to be a∣lone sufficient to make us Artificers: let them onely give way to our labours, seeing nothing in our opinion can be perfect, but when Nature is holpen by care . Neither can we conceive it otherwise; because we doe find that among so many rare wits none have anciently obtained the highest fame of Art, but such as not contenting themselves to sa∣lute the schooles of Painters afarre off, and to spend a very small time of apprentiship in them, thought it rather need∣full to be a great while a learning what they would after∣wards teach others, least they should be forced to learne a∣ny thing at the time of teaching: so do we likewise perceive that the majestie of these Arts was troden under foot, as soone as the love of too much ease made men neglect the

care due unto the first principles of Art. Such things as doe grow up without any foundation, sayth Seneca , are subject un∣to ruine: it is therefore a grosse error, when many by a false perswasion of their teachers go about to sever this Art from the elegancy of a more grave and severe kinde of learning; as if the whole exercise of Art did chiefly consist in an easie and readie practise without any further care: Such as make great haste, sayth Quintilian , must needs thinke slightly of e∣very thing that is to be done before they come to what is last. Hence it is that they forsake things indeed necessary for the love of things seeming more specious; yea they neglect and loath such great helps of Art, as cannot be wanted; not loo∣king for any commendation of their wit from things farre remote from ostentation, seeing the tops of high buildings are noted, the foundations are hid, sayth Quintilian . Besides these there are others of a more lazie arrogance, despising all precepts of Art after they have spent but a little time in the schooles of Painters, and seeking to gaine authoritie by the contempt of them that studie to bring to these Arts not their hand onely, but all such things also as may conduce to Art. These are they that doe small things with a great deale of ease, sayth Quintilian , and being thus emboldened, they shew instantly whatsoever they know themselves able to doe; though they can doe nothing, but what is neere at hand: they doe not much, but quickly: there wanteth true force in their worke, seeing it hath not taken a deepe root; even as seeds cast upon the upper most ground doe spring up more readily, and like blasted eares of corne make a shew of ripenesse before harvest. These things compared with their yeares, are pleasing at the first; but the advancement afterwards being at a stay, the admiration al∣so doth decrease.

§ 3. Whosoever therefore desireth a more compleat and

absolute knowledge of these Arts, must by all means beleeve that all such things doe belong unto his care, which are able to perfit an Artificer; and that it is not possible to attaine to the height of any thing, but by the means of some fore∣running beginnings; yea that he may not looke for grea∣ter matters, unlesse he first stoope downe to the lesser. Stu∣dies have also their infancie, sayth Quintilian : and as the education of such bodies, as at any time shall be the stron∣gest, beginneth with milke and cradle; even so doth he which may in time be a most consummat Artificer, hang a great while about the first lines, standing in need of a hand to lead his hand, untill he use himselfe a little to the right stroke: as it is impossible to attaine to the height of any thing, but by some beginnings; so doe the first things, when the worke goeth on, seeme to be the least, sayth Quintilian : the height of all Arts, as of trees, delighteth us very much; so do not the roots: and yet can there be no height without the roots, sayth Tullie : unexperienced children doe first apprehend the figure and name of letters, sayth Manilius , their use is afterwards taught them by the making up of syllables; words follow; the force of things and the use of Art doth lastly arise out of them: it maketh much for our maine end to have learned the first rudiments in order: yea the preposterous labour of over-hastened precepts shall come to nothing, unlesse learning be grounded upon his proper ele∣ments. The ancients therefore not despising such small things (although in studies nothing may be counted small, that doth advance our principall intent) have made these Arts great; rather contenting themselves with a slow then with an uncertaine event.

§ 4. How much doe the customes of our young men at this time differ from the sayd practise of the ancients? for who is there among many thousands that confessing himselfe in∣feriour

giveth place to the age or authoritie of a better Master? sayth the younger Plinie , they are wise at one instant; they are forthwith filled with all knowledge; they stand in awe of no bodie; they imitate no bodie; they need not take example by any bodie, seeing they are an example unto themselves. These Arts were in times past studied with much respect; but now, af∣ter that wee have made the greatest point of Art our first entrance into the Art, all goe to it without any reason or modestie; wholesome counsell is generally rejected; we doe not suffer our selves to be led orderly into the Art, but we doe rush in, having once broke the barres of shame and re∣verence: you can hardly meet with any one that aspireth to the consummation of this most magnificent Art by tra∣cing the beaten path of necessary precepts held by the anci∣ents, neither will any one fit himselfe to greater things by giving a document of himselfe in lesser matters, but all doe by an overthwart consent forsake the most profitable dili∣gence in smaller things; and whilest they meane to step from the lowest to the highest, neglecting whatsoever is in the middest, the hope of their labour is lost for want of care: there was never any brave thing brought to passe by neg∣ligence, sayth Max. Tyrius : as Nature will not have us sweat for small things, sayth Libanius , so doth shee not reward our sloathfulnesse with great matters. Seeing then that almost all are in this errour, yet should wee conceive a better hope of the Art, if we thought that any Students could be recalled; whereas now the case seemeth rather to be desperate, their senses being so much possessed with the present joy, that they are loath to admit any thing unto their eyes or eares whereby this unprovident joy of theirs might be lessened: they doe like very well of the course alreadie taken, sayth Quin∣tilian , neither is it easie to divert them from the perswasions

drunk in whilest they were children; because every one thinketh it better to have learned alreadie, then to learne. To let them therefore alone, wee doe esteeme that he is most likely to come neerest unto perfection, who taketh at the first grea∣ter care how to paint well, then fast: whosoever on the con∣trary studieth more to have done painting, then to paint, shall come farre short of his hope; neither shall he receive any other fruit of his mountebank-like braverie, but an idle praise of blockish spectators, a presumptuous perswasion of his owne abilitie, the contempt of so venerable an Art, a shamelesse boldnesse, and a custome of doing amisse. When Agatharcuus the Painter did vaunt himselfe in the presence of Zeuxis, sayth Plutarch , for making all manner of pictures most speedily and easily; But I, answered Zeuxis, am a good while about it: for as this nimblenesse and quicknesse of hand doth not leave in the worke any durable weight of Art or accu∣ratnesse of beautie; so doth the time bestowed upon the making render a certaine force tending to the preservation of the work. Themistius likewise speaking of Phidias, although Phidias, sayth he , was skilfull enough to make in gold and in ivorie the true shape of God or man, yet did he require sufficient time and leisure to the work: so is he also reported to have spent much time about the pantoffle of the Goddesse Minerva. Apelles was of the same minde: for when a foolish Painter shewed him a picture which he did boast to have made up suddenly; I see it well enough, sayd Appelles, and wonder very much why you did paint no more such pictures in that space of time: see Plutarch de Educandis liberis.

§ 5. Seeing then that great Masters themselves would not be too quicke in their workes, it followeth much more that our first rudiments may not be too hastily passed over: a painfull industry is all in all, when wee first begin: let us

ripely consider what Artificers deserve most to be imitated and expressed; least, having made an ill choice, wee should at the first get an ill habit: but of this have wee handled at large lib. I, cap. 3. Our studious endeavours must after∣wards by little and little venture abroad, and wee are to as∣sure our selves of the good successe of our labours by a pub∣like triall. All Arts gaine very much by a continuall practise and daily exercise, sayth Vegetius ; for it is impossible that a∣ny one should apprehend so many different and profound things, sayth Quintilian, unlesse upon knowledge there follow medita∣tion, upon meditation abilitie, upon abilitie force: and it is ga∣thered out of these things that there is but one and the same way of conceiving what we are to expresse, and expressing what we have conceived. The want of this practise bringeth very often to passe that many a one is frighted, when he cometh to a publike triall; he looketh still backe after the shade of his private exercises, finding his eyes dazeled at the unwonted light: severe censurers trouble him with their suspended silence; enviers with their importunate noise; favourers with their immoderate applauses; and when he perceiveth that no faults can be hid, his confident boldnesse being tur∣ned to a pensive sollicitude disquieteth him very much. E∣ven as in all other disciplines bare precepts profit very lit∣tle, not being seconded by assiduitie of exercise; so doth doctrine effect very little in these Arts of imitation, unlesse we doe seriously practise and seasonably publish the much studied Arts: neither can private studies advance us so much, but that there is ever some peculiar profit of publish∣ing: and use without doctrine (if you doe part them) is likely to doe more, then doctrine without use, sayth Quintilian lib. xij, orat. instit. cap. 6.

§ 6. All helps being outwardly applyed, wee shall finde

that a frequent and continuall exercise, as it is most labori∣ous, so is it most profitable: seeing nature doth beginne, utilitie doth advance, exercise doth accomplish these Arts. Protagoras sayth , that Art is nothing without exercise, nei∣ther that exercise is any thing without Art. What use is there of Phidias his Art, if he doe not applie it to ivorie and gold? sayth Max. Tyrius . It profiteth very little, sayth Theosophi∣sta , that such as meane to paint should consider the workes of Protogenes, Apelles, Antiphilus, unlesse they themselves al∣so fall to worke. Nature certainly would never give way, that any thing should grow great upon a sudden, yea shee doth observe it in the common course of generation, that the greatest creatures should be longest of all abreeding; and as the ground thoroughly stirred is most apt to beare and to augment hearbs, so doth a well grounded advance∣ment bring forth the fruit of studies after a more plenteous, and keepe them after a more trustie manner . Art is able to shew the way to all them, who of their owne accord are given to it; and yet doth she enough, when shee propoun∣deth her store; wee must know what use to make of the things propounded . Diligent exercise howsoever will procure us so much strength, as may be able to maintaine the dignitie of Art; provided onely that our exercise be not too rash and forward at the first: seeing in our beginnings we must once for all resolve of this, yea wee may not rest till we have obtained it, that we do well; assuring our selves that the custome of doing well, shall bring us to a readie quicknesse: assiduitie of practice bringeth by little and little to passe, that every thing doth both shew and offer it selfe with more ease; yea that all things, as in a well ordered fa∣milie, are at command. To be short: By doing quickly, wee shall never learne to doe well; but by doing well, it is

more likely wee shall learne to doe quickly. Quintil. lib. x, cap. 3.

§ 7. Wee have sayd enough concerning them who by a temerarie rashnesse banish all care: it is left we should also speake something of those, whose over-curious care beareth the blame of slownesse. For when I undertooke to stop the Students of these Arts in their temerarie forwardnesse, my meaning was not to tie them to the unfortunate toile of finding fault with every thing done alreadie; seeing it is im∣possible that they should ever bring this great and mightie Art to an end, who doe continually stay and stagger about every little experiment. Artificers therefore must take great care, least their care be perceived; principally ayming at this, that an excellent argument may be expressed excel∣lently; for he doth questionlesse paint well enough, whose worke answereth the weightinesse of the matter. Whatsoever is perfect in his owne kinde, sayth Quintilian , is well enough. It is in the meane time not onely tolerable but commenda∣ble also, and it addeth a singular grace to the worke, that there should sometimes appeare a certaine kinde of neglect in most excellent Pictures: a little sourenesse is otherwhiles pleasing in exquisite meats; and it doth not misbecome great wealth, to see something in it here and there carelesly scattered and neglected. Some for all this doe never cease troubling of themselves; they suspect every invention; they dwell upon every line; and having met with what is best, yet doe they seeke something better: whereas they have more reason to consider, that it is a naughtie kinde of affe∣ctation to desire any thing better then what is sufficiently good, when our wit wanteth judgement, and suffereth it selfe to be carried away by a meere shew of goodnesse: there is in the whole Art no vice more dangerous; seeing

other vices, as Quintilian speaketh , are loathed, but this desired. So sayth the same grave another againe , There are some that ne∣ver do content themselves, they will change every thing, and make it otherwise than it was conceived at the first. Others are mistrust∣full, and do deserve very ill of their owne wits; esteeming it dili∣gence, to make the worke harder unto themselves. Neither is it easie to say, whether those off end more that love all they doe, or that love nothing. For generous Youths also do very often spend their spirits with too much labour, and fal into acertaine kinde of dulnesse by too great a desire of doing well. The case standeth thus: We must doe our best, and yet according to our abilitie, seeing it is study, and not indignation that doth advance us. Wherefore if the winde ferveth, we are to make saile, and we are sometimes also to follow our stirred passions, in which heate doth for the most part more than diligence. Provided onely, That this indulgence doe not deceive us: For it is most naturall unto us, to love every thing wee doe, whilest it is a doing.

§ 8. Wherefore besides that same slownesse urged a little before, and besides that stay our hand giveth us, not being able in the most forward exercise of designing, to overtake the quicknesse of our minde, we shall doe well to breath our selves now and then purposely, & to review our suspected forwardnesse, by unbending the intention of our thoughts. For as we shall by this meanes bee more able to make a handsome connexion of things, so shall wee likewise avoid that wearinesse that might hinder our further dili∣gence: for the wearinesse of our minde, though it be not so apparant at the first, is no lesse tiresome than the wearinesse of our body, weakening our mind not for the present one∣ly, but also for the time to come. The first heate also brought to the work, when it waxeth cooler, receiveth new strength, and is revived by such a delay; even as we see, that

they who leape for strife use to go backe a great way, and fetch a runne, to lift and throw themselves with more force over the intended space: by putting backe our arme wee throw the further forward, and the more we draw the shaft backe, we shoot farther and with greater strength . They erre also, but in a different kinde, who following their first heate, doe with a full speed runne through the whole mat∣ter, pleasing themselves in an extemporal delineation. These are forced to go over again, what they have hastily brought forth; but whilest they mend the errours of some parts, the first levitie remaineth in the things unadvisedly heaped up; the whole composition is never a whit the better for it. It were then much better, according to Quintilian his opini∣on , sooner to have taken care, and so to frame the work at the first beginning, that it need trimming onely, without altering the designe of the whole worke.

§ 9. Next unto this relaxation shall follow the profi∣table care of a most strict emendation; seeing the weighti∣nesle of our work is by this meanes maintained, and the for∣ward facilitie of our first conceits is made to take deeper root. Even as husbandmen prune the roots that lie shallow∣est, that the lowermost might fasten deeper. The first de∣signes of art, sayth Plutarch , are grosse and imperfect; but every part receiveth afterwards a more particular perfection. Which caused Polycletus to say, That the worke is then hardest when it commeth to the naile. I may not omit the words of Favorinus the Philosopher, who sayd , Virgils friends re∣ported that he was wont to say of himself, that he brought forth his verses after the manner of Beares, which bring forth their young ones without shape or beauty, and after∣wards by licking, fashion what they have brought forth; that such were the new births of his wit, rude and imperfect

to looke on, untill he by handling and polishing gave them perfect lineaments. Emendation therefore being the onely way to perfection, it hath bin sayd upon very good ground that the pencil doth sometimes help the art, as well by rub∣bing out what was painted, as by painting. There belongeth to this worke, sayth Quintilian , To adde, to detract, to change. To adde or detract, requireth lesse labour and iudge∣ment; but to allay those things that swell, to raise those things that sinke, to tie close those things that flow luxuriously, to di∣gest things that are without order, to compose things that are loosed, to restraine things that are insolent, requireth double paines: for those things are to be condemned which did please, and what we thought not of is to bee invented. Now it is no doubt, but that the best way for emendation is to lay by the de∣signe for a time, till it may seem unto us a new or another mans invention: lest our owne, like new births, please us too much. Certainly so it is, our mindes being caried away by the cur∣rant streame of a ready invention, use to judge then more readily and warily, when our running thoughts being staid, give us time to consider what we have to doe. Hence it is that Painters, who after a reasonable pause, returne to their discontinued workes as meere spectators, doe more advance the art, than others that doe not care what haste they make to finish the worke. Those painters do very well, saith Plu∣tarch , who looke upon their workes before they accomplish them, after some delay; seeing they do renew their iudgements, by turning their eyes now and then off from the worke. It is on∣ly requred here, this respite be not too long; because it is most certaine, that nothing is easily resumed after a great discontinuance. For who doth not know, that all arts and ar∣tificers receiue the greatest benefit by use, sayth Sidonius , and that upon the neglect of usuall employments our armes waxe

heavy in our bodies, and our wits grow dull in the Arts? From whence it ariseth also, that a bow doth withstand our hand, an Oxe doth withstand the yoke, and a horse doth withstand the bri∣dle, when they are late or very seldome taken in hand.

§ 10. Though wee have as yet somewhat diffusedly commended a slow and wary care unto the diligent Stu∣dents of art, yet may every one follow a shorter way to put himselfe in minde of this dutie; if Augustus the Emperour his motto Festina lentè sound daily in his eares: and as we have alreadie spoken of diverse things whereby the warie care of a leisurely haste is quite over-throwne, so may wee not forget to mention what hurt the art receiveth by them who not contenting themselves with an ordinary haste, have studied to finde out compendious wayes of painting. When Arbiter doth reckon up the Arts lost by the careles∣nesse of a most lazie age, a magnificent and (to speake so) a chaste style, sayth he , is neither stained nor puffed up, but it waxeth greater by a naturall beautie: that windie and unmea∣surable babbling was not long since brought to Athens out of Asia, and having blasted the hopefull spirits of young men as with a pestilent starre, the rule of eloquence being once corrup∣ted was strooke dumbe; yea there did not so much as one Poëme appeare of a wholesome colour; nothing could attaine to matu∣ritie of age, seeing all Arts were fed as it were with the same meat. Picture also had no better end, after the boldnesse of the Aegyptians found out a compendious way to so great an Art. Wee see then how much these, excellent Arts have beene wronged by them that studied compendiousnesse, although it be hard to explaine what manner of compendiousnesse Petronius speaketh of: seeing it cannot be understood of that manner of writing used by the ancient Aegyptians, and mentioned in this Second booke cap. viii. § 2. Neither can

it be understood of another way of painting or rather stai∣ning cloathes, used by the Aegyptians. Cloathes are also painted in Aegypt, sayth Plinie , after a rare and strange way: they take white vailes, and having rubbed and chafed them very much, they besmeare them, not with colours, but with some juy∣ces apt to drinke colours: which appeareth not in the vailes af∣ter it is done: but being dipped in a vatte of seething dye, they are after a little while taken forth all painted. The wonder is, that though there is but one colour in the cauldron, there are di∣verse made out of it in the cloathe, the colour altering according to the qualitie of the juyce that receiveth it: neither can it be washed out afterwards: so the cauldron, which should question∣lesse confound the colours, if it did receive them painted, doth digest them out of one colour, and painteth the vaile whilest it is a boiling: and the singed cloathes are stronger, then if they were not boiled at all But I rather thinke that the Aegyptians had some other abridgement of painting, unknowne to us: for nothing could hinder them to find out a short way of pain∣ting as well as Philoxenus Eretrius a scholar of the most swift painter Nicomachus: seeing this Philoxenus, as Plinie repor∣teth , having followed the swiftnesse of his Master, did invent certaine shorter and more compendious wayes of painting.

Notes

• Apud Livi∣um lib. xxii ab v. c.
• In prooemio libri Tertii Controvers.
• Apud Laer∣tium lib. vi.
• Li. II. orat. Instit. cap. 7.
• Quint. orat. instit. xi, 3.
• Lib. I. de Irâ, cap. ultimo.
• Lib. IV. o∣rat. instit. cap. 5.
• In prooemio libri Primi.
• Lib. I. orat. instit. cap. 3.
• Lib. I. orat. instit. cap. 1.
• Lib. X. o∣rat. instit. cap. 1.
• De Perfecto oratore.
• Lib. II. Astron.
• Lib. viii. E∣pist. 23.
• Dissert. xxxiv.
• In Progym.
• Lib. iii. orat. Instit. ca. 1.
• In Pericle.
• Orat. adeum qui postulave∣rat ut ex tem∣pore sermonem haberet.
• De Re milit. lib. III. cap. 10.
• Apud Stobae∣um Serm. de Disciplinâ & eruditio∣ne.
• Dissert. V.
• Progymn. cap. 1.
• Quintil. lib. x, cap. 3.
• Quint. lib. vii, cap. ultimo.
• Lib. VIII, cap. 3.
• Lib. VIII. cap. 3.
• Lib. X. cap. 3.
• Quin. lib. x, cap. 3.
• Lib. X, cap. 3.
• Sympos. pro∣blem. II, 3.
• Apud. Agel. lib. XVII. noct. A tic. cap. 10.
• Lib. x, ca. 4.
• De cohiben∣dâ irâ.
• Lib. IX, Epist. 12.
• In Satyrico.
• Lib. xxxv, Sub finem copitis un∣decimi.
• Lib. xxxv, cap. 10.