ABSTRACT
It unfortunately happens, to the infinite hurt and prejudice of this mode of imitation [painting] above all others, that the artist designs not so much what his own conscious idea of the dignity of his profession requires of him, or the general taste of those, he would most wish for his judges, approves; as what the rich or noble Conoisseur, who bespeaks his work, and prescribes the subject, demands. What this hath usually been, let the history of ancient and modern painting declare. Yet, considering its vast power in MORALS, as explained above, one cannot enough lament the ill destiny of this divine ART; which, from the chast hand-maid of virtue, hath been debauched, in violence to her nature, to a shameless prostitute of vice, and procuress of pleasure.
