timuit quo sospite vinci
Rerum magna parens et moriente mori,
and the prince of sculptors, Michael Angelo, both drew their inspiration from the contemplation of the art-works of antiquity. The former was led to improve the art of painting by the frescoes of the baths of Titus, the latter by the sight of a mere torso imbibed the principles of proportion and effect which were so admirably developed in that fragment[[26]]. And not only the arts of sculpture and painting, but those which enter into our daily life, are furthered by the wise consideration of the past. Who can have witnessed the noble exhibitions in Hyde Park or at Kensington without feeling how much the objects displayed were indebted to Hellenic art? In reference to the former of these Mr Wornum says: “Repudiate the idea of copying as we will, all our vagaries end in a recurrence to Greek shapes; all the most beautiful forms in the Exhibition, (whether in silver, in bronze, in earthenware, or in glass,) are Greek shapes; it is true often disfigured by the accessory decorations of the modern styles, but still Greek in their essential form[[27]].”
[26]. For this and the preceding facts see the Museum of Classical Antiquities, Vol. I. pp. 13-15. The frescoes of the baths of Titus have subsequently lost their brilliancy. See Quatremère de Quincy’s Life of Raphael, p. 263. Hazlitt’s Translation. (Bogue’s European Library).
[27]. The Exhibition as a Lesson in Taste, p. xvii.*** (Printed at the end of the Art-Journal Illustrated Catalogue, 1851).
And yet I must, in concluding this Introductory Lecture, most strongly recommend to you the study of archæology, not only for its illustration of ancient literature, not only for its furtherance of modern art, but also, and even principally, for its own sake. “Hæc studia adolescentiam alunt, senectutem oblectant, secundas res ornant, adversis perfugium ac solatium præbent; delectant domi, non impediunt foris, pernoctant nobiscum, peregrinantur, rusticantur[[28]].” Every one who follows a pursuit in addition to the routine duties of life has, by so doing, a happiness and an advantage of which others know little. The more elevated the pursuit, the more exquisite the happiness and the more solid the advantage. Now if
The proper study of mankind is man,
then most assuredly archæology is one of the most proper pursuits which man can follow. For she is the interpreter of the remains which man in former ages has left behind him. By her we read his history, his arts, his civilisation; by her magical charms the past rises up again and becomes a present; the tide of time flows back with us in imagination; the power of association transports us from place to place, from age to age, suddenly and in a moment. Again the glories of the nations of the old world shine forth;
Again their godlike heroes rise to view,
And all their faded garlands bloom anew.