Imagination penetrative is concerned not with the combining but apprehending of things

§ 1. Imagination penetrative is concerned not with the combining but apprehending of things.
§ 2. Milton's and Dante's description of flame.

Thus far we have been defining that combining operation of the imagination, which appears to be in a sort mechanical, yet takes place in the same inexplicable modes, whatever be the order of conception submitted to it, though I chose to illustrate it by its dealings with mere matter before taking cognizance of any nobler subjects of imagery. We must now examine the dealing of the imagination with its separate conceptions,art oil paintings online,and endeavor to understand not only its principles of selection, but its modes of apprehension with respect to what it selects.
When Milton's Satan first "rears from off the pool, his mighty stature,"the image of Leviathan before suggested not being yet abandoned, the effect on the fire-wave is described as of the upheaved monster on the ocean stream.

"On each hand the flames, 

Driven backwards, slope their pointing spires, and rolled 

In billows, leave in the midst a horrid vale."

And then follows a fiercely restless piece of volcanic imagery.

"As when the force  oil paintings for sale

Of subterranean wind transports a hill 

Torn from Pelorus, or the shattered side 

Of thundering Ætna, whose combustible 

And fuell'd entrails thence conceiving fire, 

Sublimed with mineral fury, aid the winds, 

And leave a singed bottom, all involved 

With stench and smoke; such resting found the sole 

Of unblest feet."

Yet I think all this is too far detailed, and deals too much with externals; we feel rather the form of the fire-waves than their fury, we walk upon them too securely, and the fuel, sublimation,smoke, and singeing, seem to me images only of partial combustion; they vary and extend the conception, but they lower the thermometer. Look back, if you will, and add to the description the glimmering of the livid flames; the sulphurous hail and red lightning; yet altogether, however they overwhelm us with horror, fail of making us thoroughly, unendurably hot. The intense essence of flame has not been given. Now hear Dante:—

"Feriami 'l Sole in su l'omero destro 

Che già raggiando tutto l'Occidente 

Mutava in bianco aspetto di eilestro. 

Ed io facea con l'ombra più rovente 

Parer la flamma."   oil painting reproductions

That is a slight touch; he has not gone to Ætna nor Pelorus for fuel; but we shall not soon recover from it—he has taken our breath away and leaves us gasping. No smoke nor cinders there. Pure, white, hurtling, formless flame; very fire crystal, we cannot make spires nor waves of it, nor divide it, nor walk on it, there is no question about singeing soles of feet. It is lambent annihilation. oil painting reproductions for sale