DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.18825#0298
lec. viii.] proportions of the figure. 209
vigour, and alacrity : the bosom of the fair sex, is
less ample, and less square,, is more rounded in its
general form, and more elevated, though yet but
gently. To the Shoulders may be applied much
the same idea.
The Arm and the Leg are capable of great
beauty: in the arm this is very much assisted by
graceful action : and it must be owned, the elegance
of a vvell turned arm, is very impressive. Gliding
lines have here their full power.
The Knee is a joint very difficult to manage in
respect of beauty : the number of parts which are
here assembled, embarrass the general effect ; if they
are distinctly treated, they suffer as a whole ; if they
are slurred (as musicians speak) they seem to contra-
vene the intention of Nature, that is strength. As
this part is but little exposed among us, we are de-
prived of those opportunities of studying it which
warmer climates afford, and consequently we rarely
see it beautifully represented.
Beauty of form shews itself most explicitly in the
extremities of the figure, the hands, and the feet.
The beauty of the Hand consists in a pleasing,
moderate, plumpness, without hardness of any kind;
the fingers gradually lessening, with an agreeable
easy diminution, the nails not very long, or power-
fully marked ; I think, artists in general are too apt,
through desire of delicacy, to represent the fingers
as too thin : they rather resemble sticks, than fingers:
but, by this remark, I do not mean to recommend
clumsiness.
Edit. 7. E e The
vigour, and alacrity : the bosom of the fair sex, is
less ample, and less square,, is more rounded in its
general form, and more elevated, though yet but
gently. To the Shoulders may be applied much
the same idea.
The Arm and the Leg are capable of great
beauty: in the arm this is very much assisted by
graceful action : and it must be owned, the elegance
of a vvell turned arm, is very impressive. Gliding
lines have here their full power.
The Knee is a joint very difficult to manage in
respect of beauty : the number of parts which are
here assembled, embarrass the general effect ; if they
are distinctly treated, they suffer as a whole ; if they
are slurred (as musicians speak) they seem to contra-
vene the intention of Nature, that is strength. As
this part is but little exposed among us, we are de-
prived of those opportunities of studying it which
warmer climates afford, and consequently we rarely
see it beautifully represented.
Beauty of form shews itself most explicitly in the
extremities of the figure, the hands, and the feet.
The beauty of the Hand consists in a pleasing,
moderate, plumpness, without hardness of any kind;
the fingers gradually lessening, with an agreeable
easy diminution, the nails not very long, or power-
fully marked ; I think, artists in general are too apt,
through desire of delicacy, to represent the fingers
as too thin : they rather resemble sticks, than fingers:
but, by this remark, I do not mean to recommend
clumsiness.
Edit. 7. E e The