The Human Figures, Etc.

As in the natural common actions of children; those who develop an elegant and precise way of movement early on, either through continuous effort from a young age, are seen as uncommon smart children.

Old men have very slow and stiff movements in their actions. When standing, their lower limbs and knees typically appear slightly bent, and their feet are positioned similar to a soldier standing with a pike in his rank. The back bends somewhat, the head tilts slightly forward, and the arms are moderately spread in action. Plutarch writes that old men mostly possess the characteristics of a drunken person, such as unsteady strides while walking; trembling hands and limbs at work, stammering tongue, chattering mouth, gloomy thoughts, forgetful mind, and wandering senses.

Old women have slightly faster movement in their upper body, but the lower body is just as stiff and rusty as old men. When they are angry or in wrath, they are bold and filled with furious actions and outbursts; these are most often reflected in the head movements, and the exaggerated expressions on the face, and the forward bending of the upper body is observed. The great master Rubens observed this wonderfully in his depiction of Job's tribulation. Just as in pondering over things, it often happens that one thing offsets the other and brings thoughts to mind; so it happens here by chance that we remember many think that...

Translation Notes:

• “Mensch” is translated as “Human Figures.”
• “Oude Mannen” refers to “Old Men,” and “Oude Wijven” to “Old Women.”
• “Plautarchus” refers to the writer Plutarch.
• “Jobs versaeking” refers to the tribulation of Job, a biblical reference often used in art history.
• “Ottentottifsche” refers to a style of exaggerated, grotesque facial expressions.