“French versus Italian Models” - “London Models”
Wilde affirms, “The Italian models are the best. The natural grace of their attitudes, as well as the wonderful picturesqueness of their colouring, makes them facile—often too facile—subjects for the painter’s brush. The French models, though not so beautiful as the Italian, possess a quickness of intellectual sympathy, a capacity, in fact, of understanding the artist, which is quite remarkable.” Both Italian and French models present diverse beauty in Europe. Italian models are refined and distinguishable due to vivid magnificence that is amplified by strokes. Comparatively, French models are characterized by the empathy which is depicted in the facial expressions.
America - “Impressions of America”
Wilde expounds, "America is the noisiest country that ever existed. One is waked up in the morning, not by the singing of the nightingale, but by the steam whistle. It is surprising that the sound practical sense of the Americans does not reduce this intolerable noise. All Art depends upon exquisite and delicate sensibility, and such continual turmoil must ultimately be destructive of the musical faculty." Noise is omnipresent in America. The noise would not be appealing to individuals with a penchant for quiet places. Such ubiquitous noise does not appeal to Wilde for he regards it chaotic.
Oxford - “Art and the Handicraftsman”
Wilde describes, "One summer afternoon in Oxford - 'that sweet city with her dreaming spires,' lovely as Venice in its splendour, noble in its learning as Rome, down the long High Street that winds from tower to tower, past silent cloister and stately gateway, till it reaches that long, grey seven-arched bridge which Saint Mary used to guard (used to, I say, because they are now pulling it down to build a tramway and a light cast-iron bridge in its place, desecrating the loveliest city in England." Wilde underscores Oxford's beauty using similes that equate its splendor to 'Venice and Rome's'. Alluding to Saint Mary (a religious allusion) underscores the input of art in beautifying the city. Pulling the saint down is tantamount to assaulting art and artists.
