The Human Figures, Etc.

Marked with P: And the continuous line sufficiently indicates the convenience of the slope, and which parts provide the said balance. It is thus not at all difficult to understand, that if this man placed the unloaded leg next to the other, and brought the outstretched arm closer to the midline of gravity, and let it fall downward, that the rest remaining in the previous position, they couldn’t remain standing. And this is the case with the positioning of the figures, in accordance with their weight and counterweight according to the possible position in all kinds of actions and events; Let us now, in order to bring the study of human figures closer to the practice of painting, also consider actions and passions in particular.

We have always thought that for expressing all kinds of pleasing actions and passions, from which the best emerge, no exercise is more useful for the painter; than with good observation sketching many things from life; and especially those things, that by chance and in quietness appear here and there; In doing so, one must always see to use them when the things being observed are in their fervor and best moment.

There are many things that the art of painting occasionally needs, which are not obtainable when one wants them at a specific time; certainly not as one might need them in the extreme: It is true that many use models and other aids for this: But those who wish to note carefully, will easily understand that the actions and passions sought and created through models, differ considerably

Translation Notes

- "Menschkunde" should be understood as 'study of human figures' rather than simply 'anthropology'.