# On Certain Inconsistencies in Sir Joshua Reynolds's Discourses explained — Table-Talk

> Chapter companion for Table-Talk by William Hazlitt.

## What happens

Hazlitt critiques Sir Joshua Reynolds's Discourses, focusing on two main inconsistencies: Reynolds's claim that artistic excellence results from industry rather than genius, and his assertion that beauty exists in an ideal form rather than in nature. Hazlitt argues that Reynolds contradicts himself by simultaneously dismissing genius and later admitting its necessity, using examples like Carlo Maratti to show that industry cannot compensate for a lack of natural talent.

## Themes in this chapter

### Intellectual Superiority and Its Disadvantages

Hazlitt argues that Reynolds's theory undermines true genius by promoting industry over innate talent, leading to mediocrity.

### Criticism and Critical Practice

The chapter is a direct critical analysis of Reynolds's Discourses, exposing contradictions and questioning his authority.

### The Nature of Learning and Pedantry

Hazlitt contrasts genuine learning through original genius with pedantic adherence to rules and imitation.

## Character check-ins

### Sir Joshua Reynolds

Hazlitt examines and critiques Reynolds's contradictory statements on genius, industry, and the nature of artistic excellence.

### William Hazlitt

The author presents his analysis of Reynolds's Discourses, pointing out logical inconsistencies and defending the role of original genius.

### Carlo Maratti

Cited by Reynolds as an example of an artist who, despite diligence, lacked natural powers and produced heavy, uninspired work.

## Key lines

> You must have no dependence on your own genius. If you have great talents, industry will improve them: if you have but moderate abilities, industry will supply their deficiency.

Reynolds advises students not to rely on innate talent, claiming that hard work can compensate for any lack of natural ability.

_Hazlitt criticizes this as discouraging true genius and promoting mediocrity._

> Could we teach taste or genius by rules, they would be no longer taste and genius.

If taste and genius could be taught through rules, they would cease to be what they are.

_Hazlitt points out this admission contradicts Reynolds's earlier claim that industry can produce the same results as genius._

> Carlo, by diligence, made the most of what he had; but there was undoubtedly a heaviness about him... The truth is, he never equalled any of his patterns in any one thing, and he added little of his own.

Despite his hard work, Carlo Maratti remained mediocre and failed to match his models or contribute anything original.

_Hazlitt uses this as evidence that industry cannot replace natural genius._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/table_talk_se/chapters/volume-i-on-certain-inconsistencies-in-sir-joshua-reynolds-s-discourses
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/table_talk_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/table_talk_se/chapters