Sweming of Faces

We distinguish them. This diversity in life truly exists and is granted by us, yet it does not entirely prevent the utility of facial diversity from benefiting the art of painting through some limited types of head forms. As we have already provided some examples regarding the types of forehead shapes and nose forms, we will now bring this closer to practical exercise.

In our opinion, the diversity of faces can be easily observed in four aspects; namely, in a general diversity of national character or nation, which we discussed earlier. Secondly, in a natural diversity of birth through procreation and blood relations, much seen in children resembling the lineage of their elders across entire families, continuing over time such that it reflects not only the father's or mother's likeness but a mixture of both can be seen, and this likeness continues without deviation across multiple generations. Nature strongly retains its similarity: which, although common in many things, particularly holds true concerning the diversity of faces. Nature, as we have mentioned, finds more reason in human reproduction than in animals, because there the thoughts, and personal love, and daily reflection on oneself, and on man and woman, can have a considerable influence on offspring. These notable diversities are properly called lineage; but when people grow to resemble the features and appearance of any animal, that is called simply and solely.

Translation Notes

Sweming: In this context, "Sweming" refers to the diversity or variation observed in facial features.

Troniën: This refers to faces or facial expressions, particularly concerning features and expressions in art.

Tronie-Sweming: This concept relates to the variation of facial features as a subject in the art of painting.

Kroost: This refers to offspring or lineage, emphasizing inheritance of features or traits.