Batteux

Acknowledgements Translator's Introduction Epistle Dedicatory Preface Part One: Where we establish the nature of the arts by reference to the genius that produced them 1: Division and origin of the arts 2: Genius is only able to produce the arts by imitation; what imitation is 3: Genius must not imitate reality just as it is 4: The state genius must be in to imitate belle nature 5: On the manner in which the arts imitate 6: Why eloquence and architecture differ from the other arts Part Two: Where we establish the principle of imitation by reference to nature and the laws of taste 1: What taste is 2: The subject of taste can only be nature 3: Evidence drawn from the history of taste 4: The purpose of the laws of taste is to imitate belle nature 5: Second general law of taste: belle nature must be imitated well 6: There are particular rules for each artwork and taste finds them only in nature 7: Conclusion I. There is only one general type of good taste, but several particular types 8: Conclusion II: Since the arts are imitators of nature, they must be judged by comparison to it 9: Conclusion III: Taste for nature and a taste for the arts being the same, there is only one taste that applies to everything, even to manners 10: Conclusion IV: How it is important to form taste in a timely manner and how we should go about forming it Part Three: In which the principle of imitation is verified by its application to various arts Section One: Poetical art consists in the imitation of belle nature 1: Alternatives to the principle of imitation are refuted 2: The divisions of poetry are found in [types of] imitation 3: The general rules of poetical content are contained in the principle of imitation 4: The rules of poetical style are contained in the imitation of belle nature 5: All rules of epic poetry come from the principle of imitation 6: On tragedy 7: On comedy 8: On pastoral poetry 9: On fables 10: On lyric poetry Section Two: On Painting Section Three: On Music and Dance 1: Gestures and tones of voice are the keys to understanding music and dance 2: The emotions are the principal subject of music and dance 3: All of music and dance must have a referent and a meaning 4: The expressive qualities that music and dance must have 5: On the union of the fine arts