Note 77 — Chapter V
Reading edition
That this picture was much abused is certain, but it is equally certain that the painter had occasionally some consolatory compliments. Robert Lloyd, in one of his fables, asserts that "Sigismunda"
"Shall urge a bold and proper claim To level half the ancient fame."
A writer in the Public Advertiser, March 7, 1761, honours it with the following stanzas:—
"Upon seeing the picture of 'Sigismunda,' painted by Hogarth.
"Antiquity, be dumb! no longer boast Arts yet unrivall'd or invention lost: From Greece, whose taste was fashion'd into law, From far-fam'd Greece, one instance let us draw. Atrides' grief Timanthes strove to paint, But found his art was foil'd, his colours faint: A veil conceal'd the inexpressive face, And what was want of power was call'd 'a grace.' In Sigismund the mind no want supplies, The painter trusts his genius to your eyes; Passion's warm tints beneath his pencil glow, And from the canvas starts the living woe. At length be just—throw prejudice aside; The modern shows—what the Greek could but hide. Then from the ancient take the palm away, And crown the greatest Artist of his day." —Howard.