A Treatise on Painting, by Leonardo da Vinci
1721
Senex and Taylor, London
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Those who are present at any remarkable Transaction, express their Admiration in different Manners; as for instance, in the Execution of Criminals: Where 'tis a matter of Devotion, those who attend, cast their Eyes on the Object, with various expressions of Zeal, Resignation, and Piety; as at the elevation of the Host during the Mass, and other the like solemn occasions: Where the Subject is of such a kind, as either to provoke Mirth and Laughter, or Sorrow and Compassion, 'tis not necessary that the Spectators shou'd all turn their Eyes towards the Object; but they ought to appear with different Emotions; and it may be convenient in this case, to distribute them into several Groups of Persons, assembled together to vent their Passions, either by Laughing, or Lamenting with each other: Where 'tis a Subject that inspires Terror and Affrightment, those who are seen flying, must appear Pale and Aghast, with different expressions of Fear, and Astonishment; their flight must be disorderly, and precipitate, but differently Characteriz'd; as we shall have occasion to observe in our Treatise of Motion.