Page:The practice of water-colour painting (IA cu31924014501971).pdf/18

It is undeniably true that all forms of artistic production are appreciably influenced by the conditions under which the producers work, and by the surroundings in which they find themselves. Locality plays a part of no little importance in determining the style and manner of an art and in fixing the way in which it should be practised; indeed, the popularity and success of many technical processes are directly due to purely local circumstances, which have affected mechanically or æsthetically the whole trend of artistic expression. For instance, in Japan the main principles of a very characteristic architectural style have been decided by the necessity which exists there of being always prepared for the possibility of an earthquake; the more solid building construction suitable to other countries would there be inconvenient and even dangerous. Again, in India, the traditional carvings, with their delicate elaboration of detail and unusual lowness of relief, are evidently designed with consideration for the strong and sharply defined shadows cast by a tropical sun. Similar examples of the connection