Method for Learning

elevenths between the two joints of the thigh bones with the hips (a).

Proportions following Philander.

Guillaume Philander describes a method attributed to Varro. By dividing the height of the figure into nine parts, he assigns one to the face, adding a third of this ninth part for the top of the head, where the hair is placed. Thus the whole head, according to him, should have a ninth and a third of a ninth; from the bottom of the chin to the top of the chest another third of a ninth, making a seventh of the whole, measured from the top of the head to the throat.

From the top of the chest descending to the navel counts for two ninths; from the navel to the private part another ninth; from there to above the kneecap, two ninths. The knee with its kneecap takes a third of a ninth; from below the knee to the ankle, two ninths, and from the ankles to the sole another third of a ninth; which makes in total nine parts or faces, and a third of a ninth for the hair.

Regarding the width of the figure, and the length of the arms, he says that the chest, at the place of the clavicles and between the two sockets of the shoulder bones, should

(a) This clavicle proportion seems inaccurate; as children's hips are proportionally wider than the upper body here; it appears this proportional error is due to the poor manner in which these ancient Painters portrayed children: they made them into small, stocky men with broad shoulders, large calves on legs, etc. Back then, they were unaware of the graceful forms of children aged four to five, or those produced by folds of flesh in even younger children. Raphael and many other excellent Masters did not define children gracefully.