DEPARTMENT OF DIAGRAMS |
| DIRECTOR Sapir Hepburn |
ABOUT
Again ; diagrams must necessarily be described by actual lines. There are no actual lines in nature, therefore the diagram is displeasing: besides, (and this is an important ingredient of the difference between a diagram and a picture,) visible lines have actual thickness and intensity ; and the same must necessarily be extended to the distance represented ; whereas that thickness and intensity ought to vanish in the true perspective distance. The disgust therefore arises from the diagram (the representative of the picture), not the picture drawn according to its rules.
" But some objectors say, - If one draws what he sees, is not that enough; why study rules ?- We answer, it w enough. It is all that is wanted, if one draws what he sees : but the rules are given to enable him to - draw wltat he sees." But he never saw a man standing on the same level with himself, and a mountain or a cottage, or even another man brought by the distance below his elbow, or even shoulder. How often do we see it in pictures ? He never saw the great window in front of a cathedral directly, or nearly directly, facing him, and the side of the structure at the same time: but many a drawing exhibits them so. He never saw the head or the stern of a boat and its side in profile at the same time. Half the number of bouts on paper (not to say canvass,) are so represented.