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ON TASTE

…I am now clearly of opinion that a relish for the higher excellencies of art is an acquired taste, which no man ever possessed without long cultivation, and great labour and attention. On such occasion as that wich I have mentioned we are often ashamed of our apparent dullness; as if it were to be expected that our minds, like tinder should instantly catch fire from the divine spark of Raphael’s genius. I flattered myself that now it would be so, and that I have a just and likely perception of his great powers: but let it be always remembered, that the excellency of his style is not on the surface, but lies deep; and at the first view is seen but mistly. It is the florid style, which strikes at once, and captivates the eyes for a time, without ever satisfying the judgment. Nor does painting in this respect differ from other arts. Just poetical tastes, and the acquisition of a nice discriminative musical ear, are equally the works of time. Even the eye, however perfect in itself, is often unable to distinguish between the brilliancy of two diamonds; though the experienced jeweler will be amazed at its blindness: not considering that there was a time when he himself could not have been able to pronounce which of the two was the most perfect, and that his own power of discrimination was acquired by slow and imperceptible degrees.

Reading Tasks

Understanding main points

Answer these questions

1) Can an inexperinenced viewer appreciate art as profoundly as a more experienced one can?

2) Is it possible to learn to appreciate art?

3) The ability to appreciate a work of art is an acquired one, isn’t it? How can a person gain better understanding of art?

4) Do you think the excellence of an artist’s style can be recognized at first sight?

5) Should one be ashamed of one’s apparent dullness? How should one improve his knowledge of art?

6) Is painting easier to understand than other kind of art?

7) Which is the correct way of viewing paintings?

Understanding details

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