The text discusses the importance of understanding various aspects of the human figure for art, emphasizing the pitfalls of focusing too narrowly on one element. It covers the need to know beauty, proportion, and the natural composition and function of body parts in both static and dynamic forms. Illustrations play a crucial role in conveying these concepts more clearly than words alone.
Usefulness of Human Studies.
Many are so engrossed in a small section of art they have chosen to master that they end up abandoning the rest of the art of painting. As a result, they hardly know how to attach a part of the body, like a torso, shoulder, arm, or hand, to the head of a portrait, or how to arrange other figures.
To continue handling this subject in the most appropriate way, we will first touch on the qualities of beauty and grace, then the proportion of the limbs; along with the natural composition and function of the body parts. Following this, we will demonstrate how bodies in their weight and balance, under the guidance of movement in various activities and actions, can conduct, maintain, and compose themselves. After describing the characteristics and ways to express different passions and feelings, we will dissect and explain the internal and external human form—its flesh and bones. We'll show the place, function, and ability of all surrounding bones, joints, and muscles, through which a sensible and intelligent person can perform all actions according to their will. To conduct this more efficiently and with greater relevance to painting, we will present a considerable number of illustrations that can convey some of our thoughts better than words could, focusing particularly on those that show the positions, movements, attempts, and balance management of figures in various actions.
Translation Notes:
- "Menschkunde" should be translated as "human studies" or "figure studies."