The text discusses different types of human body movements, including natural, mental, physical, mixed, and local movements. It mentions various plates showing figures in different postures and attitudes, with some illustrating ancient statues. The text explains the characteristics and implications of each type of movement, noting the irrelevance of some to artists.
THEORY
to reach, by a composed movement. See fig. III, same plate.
Plates XI & XII depict the human body standing, in various postures and attitudes, either upright or leaning.
On plate XIII, various ancient statues can be seen, such as those of Hercules from the Farnese Palace, of Emperor Commodus under the guise of Hercules, etc.
Plates XIV & XV offer different figures in very varied attitudes, some standing, others running, and others kneeling, etc.
CHAPTER IV.
On the human figure considered in its movements.
Human body movements can be classified into five different types: notably, natural movement, mental movement, physical movement, mixed movement, and local movement.
Natural movement is defined as that by which a body can grow and diminish: this movement is of no use to artists.
Purely mental movement renders the body so devoid of action that it appears as if it were dead. Indeed, because it acts while completely neglecting any external movement, the body’s limbs become languid and are in a state of rest; thus, it shows no signs of life or respiration.
Purely physical movement only produces