The text discusses the role of nature versus instruction in art, highlighting that lively and joyful dispositions have greatly contributed to the mastery of art by famous painters like Raphael and Leonardo da Vinci. It argues that engaging youth in studies and sciences is crucial, as this lays the foundation for future prosperity. Education is portrayed as essential for both personal and societal development, contrasting with the negative impact of luxury and poor upbringing.
On Design
In this vast scope, there is no Art or Science in the world of which a skilled Painter isn't obliged to have some acquaintance. Nature offers more advantage to a lively and playful Mind than Instruction can provide to another. Don't we see that among the most skilled Masters, who have brought this Art to the highest level of perfection, many who breathe joy and pleasure rather than being of a sad and melancholic temperament? Raphael, Polidoro da Caravaggio, Leonardo da Vinci, Perindel Vaga, Parmesan, Primaticcio, Pietro da Cortona, Tintoret, Giorgione, Louis & Anibal Carache, Alban, Bassan, Lanfranc, and various others, haven't they all been of a cheerful, lively temperament? Although Birds have wings to fly, a certain Author said, they still rest them when they want to. Likewise, Painters with a lively and ardent spirit also take breaks. But when heavy and dull Minds try to take flight, they resemble the unfortunate Icarus, whose artificial wings couldn't sustain him in the air.
Moreover, it is certain that one would do better by occupying Youth with study and Sciences, since if they lack or not money, they always have that in reserve. They owe it to their Parents for the good education they received. It must be admitted that a fortune, as people speak in the world, a Fire, a Shipwreck, or Theft can strip us of all our Goods instantly; not to mention Luxury and Debauchery, which dulls the Spirit, ruins States, and usually comes from poor Education. This is why the Pythagoreans had good reason to say that Education was the foundation of Cities, and that the prosperity of States depended on the proper education of the Children; since it would be very difficult to retain in duty Peoples raised in rebellion.
Add to this that Nature rarely inclines us towards particular interest, and that Education teaches us to seek the Public good. Nature makes us aspire to Freedom, and Education engages us in obedience. Why do we not see beautiful Genies who fail, due to lack of cultivation? Even Honor itself has taught us that Education outweighs Nature. The most lamentable thing is that the world is so corrupt that it hardly bad enough.
Thus, one might exclaim, on Time, on Morals! This is how Virtue and Sciences are neglected. Children are only taught by the sole principle of necessity. If they are to possess great Goods one day, they are warned early, and allowed to live their lives in Luxury, the vanities of the age, games, debauchery, and all sorts of excesses. Misguided affection for Children engages them in this bad behavior, and instead of first attaching them to some Science, and teaching them to follow the rules of Virtue, one sets the Louse, as the Proverb says, in the hair, and one stains the Weed who believes too much about herself.
Cicero said that it is a great misfortune, and that Men were born with the milk almost all the disarray and errors they immerse themselves in. A good Father of a family first applies his efforts to inculcating what is most useful, and what deserves the greatest esteem. The exercises of Music, Dance, the Fencing Hall, and the Manège do not suit everyone: these Entertainments are only for People of quality, and those who can afford the expense.
Sixth Section