Reynolds, Joshua (1723-1792)

A Discourse Delivered to the Students of the Royal Academy [Discourses on Art]

London

Printed by Thomas Cadell

December 11, 1786; 1787

"If this be not done, the Artist may happen to impose on himself by partial reasoning, by a cold consideration of those animated first thoughts which proceeded, not perhaps from caprice or rashness (as he may afterwards conceit) but from the fullness of his mind, enriched with all the copious stores of various inventions that he had ever seen, or had ever passed in his thoughts."

It appears to me therefore, that our first thoughts, that is, the effect which any thing produces on our minds on its first appearance, is never to be forgot; and it demands for that reason, because it is the first, to be laid up with care. If this be not done, the Artist may happen to impose on himself by partial reasoning, by a cold consideration of those animated first thoughts which proceeded, not perhaps from caprice or rashness (as he may afterwards conceit) but from the fullness of his mind, enriched with all the copious stores of various inventions that he had ever seen, or had ever passed in his thoughts. These ideas are infused into his design, without any conscious effort; but, if he be not on his guard, he may reconsider and correct them, till the whole matter is reduced to a common-place invention.
(p. 5)

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Reading

From 1769 to 1772 Reynolds' lectures were delivered annually, with each discourse published shortly after its delivery. After 1772, the lectures were delivered biennially. The first seven discourses were collected and published together in 1778. In 1797, the first collected edition of all fifteen appeared, with a second edition issued in 1798. See the ODNB.

Text from A Discourse Delivered to the Students of the Royal Academy, on the Distribution of the Prizes, December 11, 1786, by the President. (London: Printed by Thomas Cadell, 1787). <Link to ECCO>

07/25/2013