DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.18825#0124
Q8 PROPORTIONS OF THE HEAD. [lECT. V.
we shall adhere to the general custom : and that we
may more readily attain an accurate knowledge of
each part, we shall treat of it under the articles pr.o-
portion, character, and expression. As in
grammar there is a good, a better, and a best; in
reference to those degrees, we may consider a well-
proportioned head, body, &ic. as good ; one not only
well-proportioned, but possessing a certain natural,
distinguishing, and appropriate, character, as bet-
ter ; and if to a well-proportioned character, be
added a happy and forcible expression, it is the
summit of excellence in the Art and the Artist.
Nature has placed in the head not only her chef-
cFcewvre of beauty, but likewise the goyerning powers-
of the whole man ; our faculties, and senses, carry
on their various occupations in the head, and impart
to this division an importance and pre-eminence
which justly entitle it to our first attention.
We proceed, therefore, now to consider the
Proportions of the Head.
I would not wish my auditors to suppose, that the
term ' proportion' is to be understood as implying
mathematical rigour ; we have before disclaimed the
use of compasses on this subject ; and, as we further
advance, we shall find increasing reason to discard
all such inapplicable and dangerous assistants. Un-
doubtedly, correct rules, and specific dimensions,
are of service in their places ; for indeed we find it
not always easy, without them, to impress on the
mind
1
we shall adhere to the general custom : and that we
may more readily attain an accurate knowledge of
each part, we shall treat of it under the articles pr.o-
portion, character, and expression. As in
grammar there is a good, a better, and a best; in
reference to those degrees, we may consider a well-
proportioned head, body, &ic. as good ; one not only
well-proportioned, but possessing a certain natural,
distinguishing, and appropriate, character, as bet-
ter ; and if to a well-proportioned character, be
added a happy and forcible expression, it is the
summit of excellence in the Art and the Artist.
Nature has placed in the head not only her chef-
cFcewvre of beauty, but likewise the goyerning powers-
of the whole man ; our faculties, and senses, carry
on their various occupations in the head, and impart
to this division an importance and pre-eminence
which justly entitle it to our first attention.
We proceed, therefore, now to consider the
Proportions of the Head.
I would not wish my auditors to suppose, that the
term ' proportion' is to be understood as implying
mathematical rigour ; we have before disclaimed the
use of compasses on this subject ; and, as we further
advance, we shall find increasing reason to discard
all such inapplicable and dangerous assistants. Un-
doubtedly, correct rules, and specific dimensions,
are of service in their places ; for indeed we find it
not always easy, without them, to impress on the
mind
1