Popular lectures on scientific subjects : $b Second series, with an autobiography of the authorHelmholtz, Hermann von
Science
Popular lectures on scientific subjects : $b Second series, with an autobiography of the author
Helmholtz, Hermann von
Science; Universities and colleges -- Germany
In summing up once more these considerations, we have first seen what
limitations are imposed on truth to Nature in artistic representation;
how the painter links the principal means which nature furnishes of
recognising depths in the field of view, namely binocular vision,
which indeed is even turned against him, as it shows unmistakably the
flatness of the picture; how therefore the painter must carefully
select, partly the perspective arrangement of his subject, its position
and its aspect, and partly the lighting and shading, in order to give
us a directly intelligible image of its magnitude, its shape, and
distance, and how a truthful representation of aërial light is one of
the most important means of attaining the object.
We then saw that even the scale of luminous intensity, as met with
in the objects, must be transformed in the picture to one differing
sometimes by a hundredfold; how here, the colour of the object cannot
be simply represented by the pigment; that indeed it is necessary to
introduce important changes in the distribution of light and dark, of
yellowish and of bluish tints.
The artist cannot transcribe Nature; he must translate her; yet this
translation may give us an impression in the highest degree distinct
and forcible, not merely of the objects themselves, but even of the
greatly altered intensities of light under which we view them. The
altered scale is indeed in many cases advantageous, as it gets rid
of everything which, in the actual objects, is too dazzling, and too
fatiguing for the eye. Thus the imitation of Nature in the picture is
at the same time an ennobling of the impression on the senses. In this
respect we can often give ourselves up more calmly and continuously, to
the consideration of a work of art, than to that of a real object. The
work of art can produce those gradations of light, and those tints in
which the modelling of the forms is most distinct and therefore most
expressive. It can bring forward a fulness of vivid fervent colours,
and by skilful contrast can retain the sensitiveness of the eye in
advantageous equilibrium. It can fearlessly apply the entire energy of
powerful sensuous impressions, and the feeling of delight associated
therewith, to direct and enchain the attention; it can use their
variety to heighten the direct understanding of what is represented,
and yet keep the eye in a condition of excitation most favourable and
agreeable for delicate sensuous impressions.
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