The text explains the principles of balance and posture in statues. A statue in a simple, natural stance should have equal weight distributed along its central axis. If any part moves from its position, a counterbalance must occur in another part of the body to maintain the overall balance, enabling proper movement.
Various Postures of Action.
233
If some of the aforementioned lessons, with certain images, have attempted to clarify, they will be markedly beneficial to us, regarding the formation of the statues, in explaining our perceived weaknesses.
We first note about the stance of the statues; that when a statue stands naturally and simply, without any movement or action, upright on its feet; all the limbs then have an equal weight, centered along the midline of the weight, or the body's center of gravity. This line should be imagined in the middle, between the two collarbones to the neck hollow, extending straight over the navel and through the body between the legs.
It follows, then, if any limb deviates from its position or accustomed stance, another part of the body, or its weight, must move in the opposite direction of what has deviated from its place. This is to regain the balance the body previously had; and this must continuously happen, in all manners of movement where the limbs change from the first stance to another. Thus, the movement of the statues occurs solely through the displacement of the limbs from their simple or singular position; and without disrupting the original balance, no movement can occur.
If a statue cannot remain standing due to the imbalance, it is then needed that in all movements of the limbs, a counterbalance is found.
Translation Notes:
- 'Gelijkwigthigeyhd' is translated in the context as 'balance'.
- 'Swaarte' is rendered as 'weight' or 'gravity center'.