Nero was an artist, as
well as Domitian, two of the greatest monsters of the Empire.
If the "Beautiful" had been the "Good," Commodus must have
been one of the best of men. But according to history he was
one of the worst.
Again, the greatest period of modern Roman art was that in which
Pope Leo X. flourished, of whose reign it has been said, that
"profligacy and licentiousness prevailed amongst the people and
clergy, as they had done almost uncontrolled ever since the
pontificate of Alexander VI." In like manner, the period at which
art reached its highest point in the Low Countries was that which
immediately succeeded the destruction of civil and religious
liberty, and the prostration of the national life under the
despotism of Spain. If art could elevate a nation, and the
contemplation of The Beautiful were calculated to make men The
Good--then Paris ought to contain a population of the wisest and
best of human beings. Rome also is a great city of art; and yet
there, the VIRTUS or valour of the ancient Romans has
characteristically degenerated into VERTU, or a taste for
knicknacks; whilst, according to recent accounts, the city itself
is inexpressibly foul. (18)
Art would sometimes even appear to have a close connection with
dirt; and it is said of Mr. Ruskin, that when searching for works
of art in Venice, his attendant in his explorations would sniff an
ill-odour, and when it was strong would say, "Now we are coming to
something very old and fine!"--meaning in art.
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