The intelligent artist has therefore double merit. But the original, you say, notwithstanding all this---- CONTI. Pardon me, Prince! The original is a person who commands my respect. I did not intend to insinuate anything to her disadvantage. PRINCE. As much as you please. But what said the original? CONTI. "I am satisfied," said the Countess, "if I am not plainer." PRINCE. Not plainer! The original herself! CONTI. And she uttered this with an expression of which the portrait affords no trace, no idea. PRINCE. That is just what I meant; therein lies your infinite flattery. Oh! I know well her proud, contemptuous look, which would disfigure the face of one of the Graces. I do not deny that a handsome mouth set off with a slight curl of scorn, sometimes acquires thereby additional beauty. But, observe, it must be only slight; the look must not amount to grimace, as it does with this Countess. The eyes, too, must keep control over the disdainful charmer; eyes which the worthy Countess decidedly does not possess. You do not even give them to her in the picture. CONTI. Your Highness, I am perfectly amazed. PRINCE. And wherefore? All that could be achieved by the resources of art out of the great prominent staring Medusa eyes of the Countess, you have honourably accomplished. Honourably, I say, but less honourably would have been more honest; for tell me yourself, Conti, is the character of the individual expressed by this picture? yet it should be. You have converted pride into dignity, disdain into a smile, and the gloom of discontent into soft melancholy. CONTI (_somewhat vexed_). Ah! Prince, we painters expect that a portrait when finished will find the lover as warm as when he ordered it. We paint with eyes of love, and the eyes of love alone must judge our works. PRINCE. 'Tis true, Conti; but why did you not bring it a month sooner? Lay it aside. What is the other? CONTI (_taking it up and holding it still reversed_). It is also a female portrait. PRINCE. Then I had almost rather not see it; for the ideal depicted here (_pointing to his forehead_), or rather here (_laying his hand upon his heart_), it cannot equal. I should like, Conti, to admire your art in other subjects. CONTI. There may be more admirable examples of art, but a more admirable subject than this cannot exist. PRINCE. Then I'll lay a wager, Conti, that it is the portrait of the artist's own mistress. (Conti _turns the picture_.) What do I see? Your work, Conti, or the work of my fancy? Emilia Galotti!