Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from Specimens of Antient Sculpture, Egyptian, Etruscan, Greek, and Roman, Vol. 1: Selected From Different Collections in Great Britain
Primiti'c art 3. In those arts, which peculiarly and immediately belong to it, we may discover some rude efforts in the rudest state of original na ture; there being scarcely any nation or tribe hitherto discovered, that had not made some attempts to imitate, by lines or forms, the natural objects, which surrounded them. Fee'ole and imperfect as these primitive efforts are, the principle of them is always good. The artist appears, indeed, to have been destitute of the skill as well as of the implements and materials belonging to a civilized state of life; but he was, at the same time, destitute of the artificial habits and corrupt prejudices of it. He looked at nature attentively, and at nature only; and, as he saw her through no medium, he saw her without any disguise. Hence, though his knowledge was de fective, his taste was just; and while his hand erred, his eye was cor rect. This is observable in all the specimens of savage art, that have come under our observation. The intention is good, though the execution is bad; and rudely and indistinctly as the limbs and features are marked, they are nevertheless placed in the manner best adapted to express the action, passion, or sentiment meant to be signified.
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