Quotation

Thus to raise the Character : To divest an Unbred Person of his Rusticity, and give him something at least of a Gentleman ; to make one of a moderate Share of good Sense appear to have a Competency, a Wise Man to be more Wise, and a Brave Man to be more so, a Modest, Discreet Woman to have an Air something Angelical, and so of the rest ; and then to add that Joy, or Peace of Mind at least, and in such a manner as is suitable to the several Characters, is absolutely necessary to a good Face-Painter : But ‘tis the most Difficult part of his Art, and the last attain’d ; perhaps ‘tis never so much as Thought of by Some : All that They aim at is to make such a Likeness of the Face as shall be Known immediately ; and that it be Young, Fair, and Handsome ; and frequently those for whom the Pictures are made Expect no more ; whether the Characters of Wisdom, or Folly be impress’d upon them it matters not. Accordingly we see Portraits which are perfect Burlesques upon the Minds of the Persons drawn ; a Wise Man shall appear with the Air of a Fop ; a Man of Spirit, and Wit, like a Smart, or a Pretty Fellow ; a Modest Ingenious Man like a Beau ; a Virtuous Lady as a meer Coquet.

translations from the Early modern period

Conceptual field(s)