Painting is a science and should be pursued as an inquiry into the laws of nature. Why, then, may not a landscape be considered as a branch of natural philosophy, of which pictures are but experiments?

Summary

This quote by John Constable suggests that painting should be treated as a scientific pursuit, investigating the laws of nature. It poses the idea that landscapes can be seen as a branch of natural philosophy, where paintings are like experiments. By viewing art through this lens, Constable implies that artists can capture and convey the essence of nature, creating visual experiments that allow us to explore and understand the world. This quote emphasizes the importance of observing and studying nature in order to produce meaningful and insightful art.

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