130 
" The stages in the progress of modern art 
have been frequently distinguished by ages 
similar to those which succeed one another in 
the human growth. We may safely assert, that 
in the infantine and youthful period of modern 
art, literature 
their infancy 
and 
and 
science 
growth. 
were only seen 
The opening 
in 
of 
nature displayed in the works of Massaccio; the 
graces exhibited in those of Lorenzo Ghiberti; 
and the advancement in perspective made by 
one or two others, kept pace nearly with that 
progress in philosophy which appeared in the 
best writings of those days. As the one took 
a larger step in the next stage or period, the 
other stepped forth in a like degree at the same 
time; so that in Leonardo da Vinci we see the 
great painter and the great philosopher: his 
painting most clearly refined in its principles, 
and enlarged in its powers by his philosophical 
studies. As a philosopher, and especially in 
those parts of knowledge which were most in- 
teresting to his profession, he laid that foundation 
of science which has ever since been adopted 
and admired. 
As 
painter, 
3 
he 
not 
only went 
but laid down those 
far beyond his predecessors,