A flattering painter, who made it his care
To draw men as they ought to be, not as they read more

A flattering painter, who made it his care
To draw men as they ought to be, not as they are.

Who sees the human face correctly: the photographer, the mirror, or the painter?

Who sees the human face correctly: the photographer, the mirror, or the painter?

Lely on animated canvas stole
The sleepy eye, that spoke the melting soul.

Lely on animated canvas stole
The sleepy eye, that spoke the melting soul.

I mix them with my brains, sir.

I mix them with my brains, sir.

The fellow mixes blood with his colors.

The fellow mixes blood with his colors.

And those who paint 'em truest praise 'em most.

And those who paint 'em truest praise 'em most.

Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures.

Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures.

The world today doesn't make sense, so why should I paint pictures that do?

The world today doesn't make sense, so why should I paint pictures that do?

Hard features every bungler can command:
To draw true beauty shows a master's hand.

Hard features every bungler can command:
To draw true beauty shows a master's hand.