ecphrases

There are many "ecphrases" or set descriptions of this kind, and they show a good deal of stock convention.

A History of the French Novel, Vol. 1 From the Beginning to 1800 George Saintsbury 1889

"ecphrases" and interspersions of verse follow as usual.

A History of the French Novel, Vol. 1 From the Beginning to 1800 George Saintsbury 1889

More ambitious but less successful, except as mere descriptive _ecphrases_, [378] are the title-story of a beautiful model posing, and _Le Songe d'une Nuit d'Été_, with a companion picture of two lovers bathing at night; _Pile ou Face_ (a girl who is so divided between two lovers that a friend advises her to toss up, with the pessimist-satiric addition that no doubt, between tossing and marriage, she will be sorry she did not take the other, but afterwards will forget all about him) is slighter; and

A History of the French Novel, Vol. 2 To the Close of the 19th Century George Saintsbury 1889

To a modern eye the interiors are anything but distinct, despite the elaborate _ecphrases_, some of which have been quoted. [

A History of the French Novel, Vol. 1 From the Beginning to 1800 George Saintsbury 1889