The text discusses various aspects depicted in several plates, highlighting how they demonstrate artistic principles related to body lines, particularly in deceased figures and angels. A specific work by Rubens is mentioned, modeled after an ancient bas-relief. Additionally, the text elaborates on different types of ancient statues, categorizing them by size and their representation of natural proportions.
THEORY
veins, his limbs stiffen, he takes his last breaths, and his indignant soul escapes into the air with long moans. Virgil, ibid.
Plates XXVIII & XXIX depict crucified men, and along with the previous two plates, they demonstrate that the straight line is the element of dead bodies: and it is the only case where it is appropriate to show stiffness in the limbs, as previously observed.
In plates XXX & XXXI, various attitudes of flying angels and figures taken up on clouds can be seen.
Plate XXXII offers a composition by Rubens, imitated from an ancient bas-relief where one sees a Satyr being flogged by another Satyr in honor of the God of the Gardens.
CHAPTER V.
On the different types of statues of the ancients.
We distinguish seven types of statues; namely, the similar, the large, the larger, the very large, the small, the smaller, and the very small. Similar statues are those where the figures represented are in their natural proportions. These are erected for people of distinguished merit, and for wise men or reputable philosophers. For example, similar ones could be made to Harmodius.