The colour of his ground is also a matter of choice, and some artists attach great importance to peculiar hues; but, as the best must depend upon varying circumstances, there can be no tint suited to every case: and we know but of one general rule on this subject, which is, that the highest light and prevailing tone of the intended work is best adapted for the ground; but as this sublition is the first step in every picture, it belongs, with the design, to the artist, and not to the preparer of the ground; and the first work of the brush may, with regard to the colouring, be well employed in harmonizing the colour of the ground to the key and the effect of the intended picture. It may be worthy of remark, however, that nature generally colours upon a white ground, and works entirely with transparent colours, whence the purity and splendor of her colouring: it is to the white grounds of Paul Veronese we are greatly to attribute his vividness and purity. It was, probably, according to this rule that Titian chose to paint on a red ground, when he intended to introduce much flesh in his design, or to render red principal in his picture.