The Analysis of Beauty: Written with a view of fixing the fluctuating ideas of taste — John Shaqi
The Analysis of Beauty: Written with a view of fixing the fluctuating ideas of tasteHogarth, William
Philosophy
The Analysis of Beauty: Written with a view of fixing the fluctuating ideas of taste
Hogarth, William
Aesthetics -- Early works to 1800
A painter's representation of heaven would be nothing without swarms
of these little inconsistent objects, flying about, or perching on the
clouds; and yet there is something so agreeable in their form, that the
eye is reconciled and overlooks the absurdity, and we find them in the
carving and painting of almost every church. St. Paul's is full of them.
* * * * *
As the foregoing principles are the very ground work of what is to
follow; we will, in order to make them the more familiar to us, just
speak of them in the way they are daily put in practice, and may be
seen, in every dress that is worn; and we shall find not only that
ladies of fashion, but that women of every rank, who are said to
dress prettily, have known their force, without considering them as
principles.
* * * * *
I. Fitness is first considered by them, as knowing that their dresses
should be useful, commodious, and fitted to their different ages; or
rich, airy, and loose, agreeable to the character they would give out
to the public by their dress.
* * * * *
II. Uniformity is chiefly complied with in dress on account of fitness,
and seems to be extended not much farther than dressing both arms
alike, and having the shoes of the same colour. For when any part of
dress has not the excuse of fitness or propriety for its uniformity of
parts, the ladies always call it _formal_.
For which reason, when they are at liberty to make what shapes they
please in ornamenting their persons, those of the best taste choose the
irregular as the more engaging: for example, no two patches are ever
chosen of the same size, or placed at the same height; nor a single one
in the middle of a feature, unless it be to hide a blemish. So a single
feather, flower, or jewel is generally placed on one side of the head;
or if ever put in front, it is turn'd awry to avoid formality.
It was once the fashion to have two curls of equal size, stuck at the
same height close upon the forehead, which probably took its rise from
seeing the pretty effect of curls falling loosely over the face.
A lock of hair falling thus cross the temples, and by that means
breaking the regularity of the oval, has an effect too alluring to be
strictly decent, as is very well known to the loose and lowest class of
women: but being pair'd in so stiff a manner, as they formerly were,
they lost the desired effect, and ill deserv'd the name of favourites.
* * * * *
III. Variety in dress, both as to colour and form, is the constant
study of the young and gay----But then,
* * * * *
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