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blisher of that Academy. Monsieur Colbert, who takes a very particular care to make Arts florish in France, being pleased to visit those Artists some while since, to see what progress they made, and having receiv'd an Account of what had been done in their meetings, expressed himself to this effect, That as 'twas necessary, for the Teaching of Arts, to joyn Examples to Precepts, so he thought it proper, that from time to time the Works of the most excellent Painters should be examin'd, and such Observations made thereon, as would informe others, Wherein the perfection of a Picture consists. Which hath been ever since practised amongst them, as the best means to carry the Art of Painting to its higest perfection; such an Examen of the best Pictures disclosing many secrets of that Art, for which there are no Rules, and opening a dore to debate many important questions, hitherto not treated of.
In the particulars, which have been made publick, of these Conferences, we may find
First, A general Idea of the Art of Painting, wherein are consider'd two principal parts, the one belonging to the Theory; the other regarding the Pratice, and the dexterity of the hand. Where 'tis observ'd, that the Authors, that have written of Painting, have not treated of the former part, how considerable soever that be, in regard of the Dissein and Disposition of the Pieces.
Next, a Relation of 7. conferences, whereof fix were made upon as many Pieces of Raphael, Titian, Paul Veronese, and M. Pousin, and the seventh upon that of Laocoon. Where are to be met with many curious remarques, and among many others, these following.
M. le Brun considering a Piece of Raphael, where is represented the Combat of St Michel with the Divel, observes, that the expression particularly depends from the Bodies, which environ the Figures; affirming, that 'tis that, which sets out the Motion and Action in the figure of St Michel, who seems to have life in this Piece: For, as as if the Air were pressed by the Weight of the Body descending, it causeth, whatever it meets with as more light, to be raised, and drives it on high with violence.
