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Page Summary:

The text discusses the variations in beauty in human figures across different nations and cultures, examining how environmental factors and cultural practices contribute to these differences. It highlights how certain groups, like the Jews, maintain distinct characteristics by not mixing with others, and compares aesthetic traits among German, English, French, Italian, and Spanish people. It concludes that such diversity in beauty cannot be confined to strict or absolute rules in art.

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English Translation of this page:

The Beauty of Human Figures

How the universal beauties in nature can differ.

Contrastingly, one can observe that through changes in land nature, whether through air, food, poor upbringing, or other factors, various imperfections are brought to the natives. This is further enhanced by mixing different and unequal land natures, in the variation of their evident offspring and progeny. We believe this accounts for many impure progenies seen, which cannot call any nation 'home'. This is evident without mixing, as seen in how the Jews do not mix with other nations, thus keeping their distinct progeny. They remain distinct among Christian people unless some hidden governance plays a part. A German is often handsome and masculine; their women are not typically pretty. The English nation is attractive in both men and women. A Frenchman is fairly charming in appearance, seldom effeminate. Their beautiful women in France are often thin, but they compensate greatly with embellishments. Italians are said to be beautiful if one chooses to see it. But the Spaniard has disputes over his beauty, even with the Devil. This will be elaborated further.

Jews,

Why they retain recognizable offspring and progeny longer than other nations.

Characteristics of the Nature in

Europe.

Considering all these things sufficiently prove that the diversity of beauty and charm, concerning the imitation in art, is not easily reduced to such strict rules to follow, as if it were an infallible guide.