SECTION I.

OF THE NATURE OF THE IDEAS CONVEYABLE BY ART.

Chapter I.—Introductory.

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[§ 1.]Public opinion no criterion of excellence, except after long periods of time.[1]
[§ 2.]And therefore obstinate when once formed.[4]
[§ 3.]The author's reasons for opposing it in particular instances.[5]
[§ 4.]But only on points capable of demonstration.[5]
[§ 5.]The author's partiality to modern works excusable.[6]

Chapter II.—Definition of Greatness in Art.

[§ 1.]Distinction between the painter's intellectual power and technical knowledge.[8]
[§ 2.]Painting, as such, is nothing more than language.[8]
[§ 3.]"Painter," a term corresponding to "versifier."[9]
[§ 4.]Example in a painting of E. Landseer's.[9]
[§ 5.]Difficulty of fixing an exact limit between language and thought.[9]
[§ 6.]Distinction between decorative and expressive language.[10]
[§ 7.]Instance in the Dutch and early Italian schools.[10]
[§ 8.]Yet there are certain ideas belonging to language itself.[11]
[§ 9.]The definition.[12]

Chapter III.—Of Ideas of Power.

[§ 1.]What classes of ideas are conveyable by art.[13]
[§ 2.]Ideas of power vary much in relative dignity.[13]
[§ 3.]But are received from whatever has been the subject of power. The meaning of the word "excellence."[14]
[§ 4.]What is necessary to the distinguishing of excellence.[15]
[§ 5.]The pleasure attendant on conquering difficulties is right.[16]

Chapter IV.—Of Ideas of Imitation.

[§ 1.]False use of the term "imitation" by many writers on art.[17]
[§ 2.]Real meaning of the term.[18]
[§ 3.]What is requisite to the sense of imitation.[18]
[§ 4.]The pleasure resulting from imitation the most contemptible that can be derived from art.[19]
[§ 5.]Imitation is only of contemptible subjects.[19]
[§ 6.]Imitation is contemptible because it is easy.[20]
[§ 7.]Recapitulation.[20]

Chapter V.—Of Ideas of Truth.

[§ 1.]Meaning of the word "truth" as applied to art.[21]
[§ 2.]First difference between truth and imitation.[21]
[§ 3.]Second difference.[21]
[§ 4.]Third difference.[22]
[§ 5.]No accurate truths necessary to imitation.[22]
[§ 6.]Ideas of truth are inconsistent with ideas of imitation.[24]

Chapter VI.—Of Ideas of Beauty.

[§ 1.]Definition of the term "beautiful."[26]
[§ 2.]Definition of the term "taste."[26]
[§ 3.]Distinction between taste and judgment.[27]
[§ 4.]How far beauty may become intellectual.[27]
[§ 5.]The high rank and function of ideas of beauty.[28]
[§ 6.]Meaning of the term "ideal beauty."[28]

Chapter VII.—Of Ideas of Relation.

[§ 1.]General meaning of the term.[29]
[§ 2.]ideas are to be comprehended under it.[29]
[§ 3.]The exceeding nobility of these ideas.[30]
[§ 4.]Why no subdivision of so extensive a class is necessary.[31]