The text discusses the artistic depiction of portraits, focusing on the position of facial elements according to certain principles outlined using geometric shapes. By observing and imitating natural life, artists can understand how to represent different stances in portraits. The examples presented aim to teach how to position a head facing front and casually bent forward according to mathematical rules.
228 Artistic Depictions of Portraits.
Portraits belong here. Regarding the width of the Mouth; One sees that it is determined by the first Oval, from which A H. forms the Center-point.
If the Portrait is less prominent or only half as deviated, retain the same extension from G B. And place half of the same, from the Circumference of the Oval at B. D. towards G. and you will find so much less from the protrusion of the deviated Oval. The Stroke of the back of the Head is approximately the same as the previous Portrait, except that the Ear is located here at point D; View the Models together, seek, reflect, imitate, and observe Natural Life, you will soon understand what is to be noted in composing various Portraits according to the Natural stance.
But just as the mentioned Examples only indicate the position of the mentioned Horizontal, which are Natural Portraits; so these also still indicate those of the Accidental positions. We then begin again with a Head seen directly from the front, casually bent forward.
Fifth Example, of the Portrait positioning of a Head straight from the front, casually bent forward.
We believe there are few who understand anything of the Artistic positioning of Portraits, or they readily know how to draw a Portrait in various accidental positions and aspects, by necessity. However, to do the same on a certain given proposal through a mathematical Rule, is in this context.