This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1819 edition. Excerpt: ...as drawing is taught in our own places of education. But fond as the Italians are of architecture, they are deplorably ignorant of all that is subservient to it. Indeed here, as in all other cases, the most singular contrast exists between the cultivation of the liberal and the mechanical arts. The finest ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1819 edition. Excerpt: ...as drawing is taught in our own places of education. But fond as the Italians are of architecture, they are deplorably ignorant of all that is subservient to it. Indeed here, as in all other cases, the most singular contrast exists between the cultivation of the liberal and the mechanical arts. The finest palaces are often lighted with leaden casements. Modern buildings indeed have sash-windows; but here magnificent panes of glass are held by the wood-work; for, though employed in the adjoining countries of Germany and Switzerland, the use of putty is unknown in Italy. The cause of the different success with which the liberal and mechanical arts are now cultivated here opens a curious field for inquiry. I it because the Italian prefers the ornamental to the useful, like the French boy in the story, who, being without breeches, and becoming master of a crown, laid it out in the purchase, of a feather? Without discarding this motive a more satisfactory reason may perhaps be adduced in explanation of the fact. The concurrence of a few rich persons is sufficient to give encouragement to the sculptor, the painter, and the architect, while the carpenter, the cutler, and the shoemaker depend upon the many. But the many are, and have long been, crushed in Italy; while a few princes, or counts, or cardinals, have always existed, who could have given, and now give, a thousand louis-d'or for a statue to the Canova of the day. Hence, perhaps, it is, that in a country where they build in marble, you cannot buy a pair of shoes which will last you for a month. I must not dismiss this subject without remarking on the contradiction, which Italy affords to the position, that despotic government is destructive to the fine arts. Despotic government is (administered...
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Add this copy of Letters From the North of Italy. Addressed to Henry to cart. $72.37, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2015 by Palala Press.
