Quote added by staff
The explanation of the propensity of the English people to portrait painting is to be found in their relish for a Fact. Let a man do the grandest things, fight the greatest battles, or be distinguished by the most brilliant personal heroism, yet the English people would prefer his portrait to a painting of the great deed. The likeness they can judge of; his existence is a Fact. But the truth of the picture of his deeds they cannot judge of, for they have no imagination.
Haydon, Benjamin
This quote is tagged Portraits · Search on Google Books to find all references and sources for this quotation · Help your friends discover QB
These people bookmarked this quote:
- Nobody has bookmarked this quote yet.
More on the author
- Find photos of this author
- Consult wikipedia for the author
- Search BBC TV and radio for shows referencing this author
This quote around the web
Powered by Google Blogs
- Find photos of this author
- Consult wikipedia for the author
- Search BBC TV and radio for shows referencing this author

The explanation of the propensity of the English people to portrait painting is to be found in their relish for a Fact. Let a man do the grandest things, fight the greatest battles, or be distinguished by the most brilliant personal heroism, yet the English people would prefer his portrait to a painting of the great deed. The likeness they can judge of; his existence is a Fact. But the truth of the picture of his deeds they cannot judge of, for they have no imagination.