The text discusses the ideals of human figure composition, stressing that limbs of unequal gender or age should not be combined, except in anomalies. It explores the concept of beauty in Adam and Eve's proportions, and highlights the importance of accurate limb alignment and proportions, which have been valued since ancient times.
Of Human Figures.
When composing the body, one never sees limbs of unequal gender or different ages paired together; that is, one does not combine the limbs of adults and children, thin and fat, nor men and women into one body, unless one counts the defects that arise accidentally in nature and are cast out as anomalies, even among the perfect creations that painting alone selects for its subjects. However, we know that painting guides itself by following nature in her utmost ability to portray beauty, and that anything opposed to this in art defies rather than follows nature.
Just as there is no doubt that Adam and Eve were so beautifully shaped and defined within delicate proportions, as if by the utmost appropriateness of a wise creator; so it is claimed that sometimes, due to lack of human studies, artists produced images that concerning the exactness of the living images, which are apparent in their wooden posture and muscles, are so varied that one would doubt whether Adam would have been considered among the creatures made on the fifth day. If he found them in Paradise, unaware of how to classify them.
The alignment of limbs and proportion measures has always been highly valued by ancient artists.
Translation Notes:
"Antike Konstenaeren" is translated as "ancient artists," referring to artists from classical antiquity. "Leden-stemming" refers to the alignment or arrangement of limbs, emphasizing the importance of anatomical accuracy and harmony in figure studies.