The text discusses the concept of proportion in human figures, comparing the flexibility needed in art to the dexterity of a snake or a thief. It warns against strictly adhering to traditional measurement rules, noting that great masters demonstrate variety. The main takeaway is that proportion guidelines serve as a foundation rather than an absolute rule in artistic representation.
The Human Figures
It is explained how other smaller parts can be regulated, according to the lesser division that was deemed suitable in the head, as we will soon present in more detail.
It is said not to be beyond the truth of the snakes, that if they can get their heads in, they can also wriggle their entire bodies through. And because thieves often have to use this proportion in their house-breaking, it shows that they follow their father the Devil, (who is described to us as a serpent from ancient times) very closely; However, this art often deceives the master; For it is seen that when these people sometimes have to stick their heads through a hempen window, they will rarely get their whole bodies through. Thus they were pointed out in Spade Wijs (Spade Wisdom) that the rule of the Devil, who was a liar from the beginning, is also false here, and that it can bring their students into a dilemma, from which they cannot free themselves with any tricks.
And although those who have spoken of the proportion of human figures teach that bodies must be determined with measurements of 7, 8, and 9 heads, (under which the proportion of 8 heads was considered the most beautiful) yet no one must think that one is always obliged to follow the stated measurements so strictly that there can be no deviation: Because life and the examples of the finest masters show us sufficiently, that within these there can be great variation. It must then be noted, that the proportion rules only serve to establish something firm and certain; So that one may indicate, when the set rule is cautiously applied...
Why the Proportion Rules are found and are useful.