viii
Venetian ! all thy Colouring is no more
Than Boulster'd Plasters on a Crooked Whore.
Reynolds, vol. i, p. loo. Suggested by the following passage in the fourth
Discourse: — 'For my own part, when I speak of the Venetian painters,
I wish to be understood to mean Paolo Veronese and Tintoret, to the
exclusion of Titian ; for though his style is not so pure as that of many
other of the Italian school, yet there is a sort of senatorial dignity about him,
which, however awkward in his imitators, seems to become him exceedingly.'
Blake's note on this is : — ' Titian, as well as the other Venetians, so far from
Senatorial Dignity appear to me to give always the Characters of Vulgar
Stupidity. Why should Titian and the Venetians be Named in a Discourse
on Art ? Such Idiots are not Artists ' — followed by the present couplet.
Printed only by EY ii. 333.
ix
O Reader, behold the Philosopher's grave !
He was born quite a Fool, but he died quite a Knave.
Reynolds, vol. i, p. 147. Suggested by the passage in the sixth Dis-
course : — * Those who have undertaken to write on our art and have
represented it as a kind of inspiration, as a gift bestowed upon peculiar
favourites at their birth, seem to insure a much more favourable disposition
from their readers, and have a much more captivating and liberal air, than
he who attempts to examine, coldly, whether there are any means by which
this art may be acquired.' This couplet follows Blake's prose note : —
' Bacon's philosophy has Destroy'd true Art & Science. The Man who says
that the Genius is not Born but Taught, is a Knave.'
Printed only by EY ii. 337.
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