The Artist's Repository, Or, Encyclopedia of the Fine Arts (Band 1): The Human Figure (London, 1808)

jlect. ix.] character of the figure; Hf

LECTURE IX.

CHARACTER OF THE FIGURE-

CF

Ladies and Gentleme^

We propose now to investigate some of the
principles which impart to the human figure those
distinctions which are understood by the term Cha-
racter. I have no need, at this time, to explain
the term, because, so far as it relates to the counte-
nance, we have pretty largely attended to character
at a former opportunity ; as many of the remarks
then offered are equally applicable to the figure, it
is my present design, and I presume it will be most
agreeable to my auditors, only to offer such additional
observations, as are most intimately connected with
our subject, which is, the character of the figure.

If the proportions of the figure were always the
same, there would be no occasion to propose any
division of character as relating to different periods
of life, since children would then be men and wo-
men, differing only in stature, I remember, when
I visited Paris, I was at first not a little embarrassed
at a deceptive metamorphosis of this kind ; the boya
were so disfigured by bags to tneir hair, and swords

Edit. 7. F f by