The text discusses the importance of understanding the anatomy of muscles, nerves, and bones for artists. It suggests that rather than performing dissections, artists should study well-illustrated anatomical drawings to learn about posture and movement. Leonardo da Vinci is mentioned regarding the understanding of muscle and nerve interactions. The careful structure of the skeleton is also highlighted for its role in enabling movement and supporting the body.
DRAWING
..the different muscles that connect all the parts together serve to move and stabilize them in all kinds of postures. It is not necessary for young artists to complete an Anatomy course or practice the dissection of a corpse, as those who aim for Surgery or Medicine do. Instead, it suffices for them to have before their eyes skeletons and anatomical drawings of a reasonable size, illustrated from various angles, with the names of the bones and main muscles written beside them, and explanations of their functions, as can be seen in plates 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.
A painter who understands the nature of nerves, muscles, and tendons, (as Leonardo da Vinci said), will know well how to recognize in the movement of a limb how many nerves are involved, in what way, and which muscle swelling causes a nerve to retract, what cords and small tendons gather and surround the muscle. They will avoid depicting, like some illustrators do, the same muscles in the arms, back, stomach, and other limbs in every posture.
Of Osteology, or the Knowledge of Bones. Plates 1, 2, and 3.
When examining carefully the structure of a skeleton, one can see that all the parts are arranged in a way to support each other and assist mutually in the various movements that this mechanism is capable of. This entire frame seems solely designed to serve as a base and support for the head, which must guide it, and which
Translation Notes
"Oßtéologie" refers to "osteology," the study of the structure and function of the skeleton and bony structures.