This text discusses the depiction of various characteristics and faces, even long after a person's death or simply from memory. It explains the categorization of faces into general types for artistic representation, and identifies key facial parts such as the forehead, nose, and mouth, that distinguish various faces. It concludes with an observation about variability and classification of certain facial features into categories like straight, concave, or raised.
Sweeming of Faces.
Virtues and Vices; various National Characters, and others, to be able to depict; But also to portray even People long after their Death, or those one has seen only once; or those brought to us by others, to be able to paint them, so that they have a reasonable resemblance. And so that we may find support for our Thoughts and Imaginative Power concerning these, just as concerning those mentioned earlier, we shall also categorize these Impressions into some general kinds or Classes, to show in sketches; Which are regulated in such a manner, that few Peculiar Faces will be found, that do not seem to match one or another kind; or at least appear similar to them.
It is certain, and we assume it as a common truth, that most variability of Faces consists only of four notable Parts or sections that constitute a Face: Namely in the Forehead, the Nose, and the Mouth with the Chin: Which Parts, when seen in profile, deliver the most notable and recognizable Features; And these can very well complement the entire form of the Head, from the side, back, and above, as the fifth addition to the previous Forms. Concerning the Foreheads and Noses; regarding which, note what we have said in the Doctrine and Structure of these Parts. We add here that one can generally distinguish three types: Namely Straight, or Concave, or Raised. The Straight have four Classes; Long, Short, Prominent outward from underneath, or somewhat retracted. The Concave or Saddle-like...
Translation Notes:Sweeming can be interpreted as ‘impressions’ or 'resemblances' in this context. Tronie is an old term which can mean 'face' or 'head', often used in artistic contexts to depict generic facial features or expressions.