XIII. On the apparent direction of eyes in a portrait

Abstract

It may seem, at first view, that portrait painting is not altogether a fit subject to be brought before the Royal Society, since the delicate touches by which the skill and feeling of an accomplished artist convey an expression of sense, and grace, and sensibility to the finished representation of the human form, cannot admit of such strict analysis as the ordinary subjects of our inquiry. Nevertheless, since the rules of perspective, which are strictly mathematical, are perfectly within our province, it may be presumed that a question, in which some principles of that science are involved, may be considered a legitimate subject of communication ; that effects not anticipated on any received principles must deserve attention; and that the explanation of them will be found to have some pretensions to utility.