The text discusses the behavior of muscle fibers during contraction and movement, emphasizing differences between voluntary and involuntary actions. The writer notes the change in physical properties of the fibers when they contract and relax, illustrating how these changes are perceived during dissection. Finally, it suggests that artists should consider these movements to accurately depict actions in their work, ensuring alignment with the intended purpose of the figures they create.
Joints and Muscle Service.
He states that the fleshly fibers do not become shorter. Thirdly, as the fleshly fiber becomes shorter, it also becomes harder; and its outer surface, being smooth and even before contraction, becomes rough and uneven when moving or contracting. Fourthly, after contraction, the fleshly fibers return to their previous length. Fifthly, the same changes that affect the fleshly fibers when moving the muscle are perceived also in every part of the fleshly fibers when cut into pieces. Sixthly, the shortening and contracting of the fleshly fibers occur in the muscle in the same way, whether the blood vessels, veins, and nerves are uncut or severed. The aforementioned Steno claims to have observed all this clearly in the dissection and detailed examination of living animals.
But leaving all these medical thoughts aside; we must make the painter take note from everything previously stated, that a great distinction must be made between movements that occur without the will, and those that happen with the will; for in what is done instinctively; one commonly finds greater skill, more vigorous action and fury, than in simple actions, which are often produced by the ordinary course of spirits beyond our conscious thought. Therefore, an artist must ensure in displaying and expressing actions and movements that his figures possess such actions and movements that align with the will, desire, and intent he wants his figures to have:
Translation Notes:
- 'Vleesige Draad' is translated as 'fleshly fiber' referring to muscular tissue fibers.
- 'Zonder de Wil' is translated as 'without the will' referring to involuntary actions, while 'met de Wil' means 'with the will' referring to voluntary actions.
- 'Konstenaer' is translated as 'artist'.