Oil Colors, those colors which are mixed up with oil, as
     the others are with water.

Is not this art of great antiquity?

There is not the slightest doubt of it; but to name the country where it was first practised, or the circumstances attending its origin, is beyond the power of the historian.  About a century after the call of Abraham, Greek and Egyptian tradition tells us of a colony planted at Sicyon, by an Egyptian, who brought with him the knowledge of painting and sculpture, and founded the earliest and purest school of Greek art.  The walls of Babylon were adorned with paintings of different kinds of animals, hunting expeditions, combats, &c.  Allusions to this custom of the Babylonians, of decorating their walls with paintings, are found in the Bible.

     Tradition, a history or account delivered from mouth to
     mouth without written memorials; communication from age to
     age.

     Allusion, reference.

     Decorating, ornamenting.

     Sicyon, a kingdom of Peloponnesus, in ancient Greece.

Were the Egyptians acquainted with this art?

It is now little doubted that, although painting and sculpture existed in Egypt, and were probably at their highest condition, eighteen centuries before the Christian era, yet, at a still earlier period, these arts were known in the kingdom of Ethiopia; and it is considered likely, that the course of civilization descended from Ethiopia to Egypt.  There is, however, no record of any Egyptian painter in the annals of the art; and it does not appear that it ever flourished in that country, or that other nations were much indebted to Egypt for their knowledge of it.

     Era, age, period.

     Ethiopia, the ancient name of the kingdoms of Nubia and
     Abyssinia, in Africa.

     Annal, record, history.

     Exploit, action, achievement, deed of valor.

Have we any notice of this art among the Hebrews?

There is no allusion made to the existence of painting among this people, and no proof that it was cultivated among them:  it is supposed that the neglect of this art arose from their not being permitted to represent any object by painting.

What progress did the generality of the Eastern nations make in this art?

The art of painting among the Phenicians, Persians, and other Eastern nations, advanced but slowly.  The Chinese appear, until a very recent period, to have contented themselves with only so much knowledge of the art as might enable them to decorate their beautiful porcelain and other wares; their taste is very peculiar, and though the pencilling of their birds and flowers is delicate, yet their figures of men and animals are distorted, and out of proportion; and of perspective they seem to have but little idea.  Latterly, however, a change has taken place in Chinese art, and proofs have been given of an attempt to imitate European skill.  The Japanese figures approach more nearly to beauty of style than Chinese productions of a similar kind.