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fol. 28r [fol. 27v is blank] 'Of Ideas of Truth' (Pt I, Sn I, Ch V) (3.104)
[Slip inserted: Mod: Painters / --------- / Vol. I. / ---- / Pt. 1. Sec.1. Chap V / p. 20 - / ------- /
Of Ideas of Truth / ---------]
Of Ideas of Truth. .
Without troubling ourselves to go into any very close investigation of the
meaning of the word truth . as applied to art. we shall use it in its
ordinary and accepted signification . The faithful <representation> statement
5 either to the mind or senses . of any fact of nature .
We receive an idea of truth then . whenever we perceive the faithfulness
of such a statement.
The difference between ^ {ideas of} truth and ^ {of} imitation lies chiefly in
t<wo>{hree} points .
<First .> {Secondly .}* Truth may be stated by any <means by symbols - letter .
words - or> {signs or symbols which have a definite}
10 <in pictures - by anything through which the mind canbe addressed .> {signification in
the minds of those to whom <it is> ^ {they are} addressed . although such}
<Anything> {Whatever}
<which> can excite in the mind the impression of certain facts . can give ideas {signs
may be in themselves <the> {no} image <of> nor likeness of anything . }
of truth . though it be in no degree the imitation or resemblance of those facts .
<The> If there be - we do not say there is - but if there be - in painting - anything
which operates as words do - not by resembling anything - but by being taken
15 as a symbol <of som> & substitute for <it> {something}. and thus inducing the effect
of it -
then this channel of communication can convey truth, - unsullied and perfect
truth . <without> {though it do not}in any degree . resembl<ing>e the facts whose
conception it induces .
While imitation of course implies an image or likeness of something. Imitation
therefore
appeals ^ {only} to the senses . Truth ^ {often only} to the mind .
20
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