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of some of you young gentlemen
of talents do not labor to attain excellence in the true meaning
of the expression, in this country - the zenith of the arts are
past now and they will sink into no other merits that the Executive
- and what shall flash for the moment, and impose on the eye.
Contemplate the works by Raphael, Carraci, Titian and many of
the other Italian masters, as for instance Domeniceno - in the
works of these observe how they laboured to attract the mental
powers in the spectators, and how they have brought home the
characters represented in their works. The opportunity you now
have, is the period to make your mind up with all that is refined
in drawing, colouring, character and expression, and all the
other points which constitutes a fine picture. Lay the foundation
of all those excellences in your mind while surrounded as you
are with the effort of Genius, and on that build your structure
when you return to your native land.
Mr Delamotte will hand you
this, and I hope to follow him in less than a fortnight from
this time: it will be gratifying to me to see you at Paris.
I am with friendship, and
great regard
Dear Sir, your most obedient, and obliged
Benjn. West
Thos. Phillips
excuse incorrectness -
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