Proper Body Proportion

The shrinking and possible narrowing of the bones may cause a slight shortening of people, leading to the elderly becoming stiff and restricted in movement, lacking the ability to walk properly, and even becoming bent towards the grave. We have been informed by a meticulous observer that in one human skeleton, it was found to be about half a foot shrunk. This was assessed as being of excellent proportion, able to stretch much longer. We believe this shortening mainly arises from the posture of elderly as they become bent, unable to maintain their upper limbs upright on the spine.

No one has stirred more discussion about human proportion than Albertus Durer, who wrote four books on the subject, published by his widow in Nuremberg in 1527. These books have been translated into four or five languages, including Dutch. Although Durer may not have reviewed the last three books as thoroughly as the first, they maintain a consistent theme. We have always compared his manner to that of crabs and Rhine crayfish, more for picking than for eating, meaning more labor and effort than practical use. J. P. Lomazzo, P. Cozijn, and others have followed his manner in some respects but have summarized things much shorter and more concisely. Our reading of Durer's books

Translation Notes:
Maatredige Ledenstemming: Proper Body Proportion
Menschkunde: Human Studies