The text discusses Mr. Ruysse's decision to return his nephew from art to warfare, indicating the boy's lack of progress in art. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining threefold proportions in art, ensuring harmony among natural proportions, well-being, and gracefulness. When natural order fails, adaptations must be made carefully to not disturb the balance.
Proportions of Limbs
Mr. Ruysse, noticing that his nephew, whom he had given over to the art of drawing and painting, was not progressing, said to his master, Send the boy back home, I will order for him a drawing pencil of 15 feet. He meant to say that he had more aptitude for warfare; and that he would rather give him such a spear on the shoulder.
In the art of painting one should not forget to note that there are threefold proportions to consider, despite how much they may differ from one another, they must all remain within the bounds of possibility. In our view, there is a natural and measured proportion, to which the proportion of well-being and gracefulness should be added. And as long as human figures conform to one of these three types, or all three reasonably, they will be beyond reproach. The first two are always firm; and to the last, refuge is taken only when the natural order stops or departs, which is when certain atypical or unique circumstances require us to adapt; in such cases, a constraint or tightening can be felt; to show sufficiently that they have adhered to the measured proportion regarding the body, without overloading it. When the measured proportion leaves us, its lack should be concealed as much as possible, so that deficiencies at least do not stand out noticeably: if a wise eye can discover this, so must skill and aptitude compensate.
Translation Notes
Teyken-Kool refers to a large drawing instrument. Maatredige means measured or appropriate.