This broad general distinction must be thoroughly understood. For you can see that it would be impossible to enter into the merits of an _idealistic_ picture, if you insist on approaching the study of it from the _naturalistic_ point of view. And vice versa. The only way to appreciate a picture is to approach it from the point of view of the man who painted it. We must try to enter into his mind and find out his motive and see the subject as he saw it.