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"When we trust to the picture, that objects draw of themselves on the mind, we deceive ourselves. Without accurate, and particular observation, it is but ill-drawn at first: the outlines are soon blurred: the colours, every day grow fainter; and at last, when we would produce it to any body, we are obliged to supply it's defects with a few strokes of our own imagination."

— Gilpin, William (1724-1804)

Author

Three Essays

Place of Publication

London

Publisher

Printed for R. Blamire

Date

1792

Metaphor

"When we trust to the picture, that objects draw of themselves on the mind, we deceive ourselves. Without accurate, and particular observation, it is but ill-drawn at first: the outlines are soon blurred: the colours, every day grow fainter; and at last, when we would produce it to any body, we are obliged to supply it's defects with a few strokes of our own imagination."

Metaphor in Context

The virtue of these hasty, black-lead sketches consists in catching readily the characteristic features of a scene. Light and shade are not attended to. It is enough if you express general shapes; and the relations, which the several intersections of a country bear to each other. A few lines drawn on the spot, will do this. "Half a word, says Mr. Gray, fixed on, or near the spot, is worth all our recollected ideas. When we trust to the picture, that objects draw of themselves on the mind, we deceive ourselves. Without accurate, and particular observation, it is but ill-drawn at first: the outlines are soon blurred: the colours, every day grow fainter; and at last, when we would produce it to any body, we are obliged to supply it's defects with a few strokes of our own imagination."*— What Mr. Gray says, relates chiefly to verbal description: but in lineal description it is equally true. The leading ideas must be fixed on the spot: if left to the memory, they soon evaporate.
*. Letter to Mr. Palgrave, p. 272, 4to.
(pp. 64-5)