The text discusses the perception of facial features and proportions from different viewpoints, noting that changes in posture and movement can affect how facial features are perceived. Even when a face is viewed frontally, aspects such as the position and orientation of the face will influence perceived proportions, particularly with length and elevation, while width generally remains consistent. The discussion is placed in the context of drawing and understanding muscles and movements.
Artistic Viewing of Faces
Nose and mouth position, which will be discussed later, in the standing situation of a face when viewed through the altered eye, do not present any strange shape concerning the form of the parts themselves, unless it happens through foreshortening. However, this only occurs when it concerns heads and faces whose posture is altered by their own movement. This is because sometimes the muscles and nerves of the neck and cheeks, and occasionally some tension or relaxation, result in some ripples, folds, and changes, similar to what is observed in the study of muscles and limb movements.
Furthermore, note that when a face is viewed directly from the front, whether leaning backwards or forwards, the proportions concerning the features of the eyes, nose, mouth, or chin do not change in width. There is a significant change regarding their length and elevation. As all the parts of a face are seen in a natural, horizontal position in their own proportional measure, it becomes easy to understand that the length and elevation of these parts must change according to the characteristics of a varied, non-horizontal face. They often appear shortened, tilted towards, against, or even behind each other. However, the width of things remains the same as long as the posture remains generally frontal. But in a face viewed from the side or even slightly deviated;
Translation Notes
- 'Tronie' refers to a face or facial expression in this context. - 'Stands-gelegendheyd' translates to 'posture' or 'situation'. - 'Verhevenheyd' means 'elevation' or 'prominence'.