DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.48092#0273
XII.]
EXTRACT FROM THE THIRD BOOK.
247
of men can seldom compass the beautiful in creatures rightly to de-
pict it. And, although we cannot speak of the greatest beauty of a
living creature, yet we find in the visible creation a beauty so far sur-
passing our understanding that not one of us can fully bring it into his
work.
Item. For different kinds of figures different kinds of men are to be
studied. Thus thou findest two families of mankind, white and black;
and a difference between them is to be marked, arising from the earth
which severeth them from us. Negro faces are seldom beautiful because
of their very flat noses and thick lips ; moreover their shinbone is too
prominent and the knee and foot too bony, not so good to look upon as
those of the whites ; and so also is it with their hands. Howbeit I have
seen some amongst them whose whole bodies have been so well-built
and handsome that I never beheld finer figures, nor can I conceive how
they might be bettered, so excellent were their arms and all their limbs.
Thus one findeth amongst the families of men types of every kind, which
may be used for figures of diverse sort according to the temperament.
So the strong are hard in body like unto lions, whilst the weak are
softer and not so rugged as the strong. Wherefore it is not seemly to
give a soft character to a very stong figure, or to a weak figure a hard
character. Howbeit, though as to thin and fat in figures some care is
needful, yet in figures of almost every kind soft and hard may be used
as a man will.
Life in Nature showeth forth the truth of these things, wherefore
regard it well, order thyself thereby and depart not from Nature in
thine opinions, neither imagine of thyself to invent aught better, else
shalt thou be led astray. For Art standeth firmly fixed in Nature, and
whoso can rend her forth thence, he only possesseth her. If thou
acquirest her, she will remove many faults for thee from thy work.
Moreover thou mayest demonstrate much of thy work by Geometry.
But what we cannot demonstrate, that must we leave to good intention
and the judgment (good taste) of men. Still experience availeth much
in these matters. The more closely thy work abideth by life in its form,
so much the better will it appear; and this is true. Wherefore never-
more imagine that thou either canst or shalt make anything better than
God hath given power to his creatures to do. For thy power is weak-
ness compared to God’s creating hand. Wherefore it is ordained that
no man shall ever be able to make a beautiful figure out of his own
thoughts unless he hath well stored his mind by study. But then that is no
longer to be called his own; it is art acquired and learnt, which soweth,
waxeth, and beareth fruit after its kind. Thence the gathered, secret
treasure of the heart is openly manifested in the work, and the new
creature, which a man createth in his heart, appeareth in the form of a
Thing.
Hence it ariseth that a well-practised artist hath no need to copy
each particular figure from the life. For it sufficeth him to pour forth
that which he hath for a long time gathered unto him from without;
and he hath whereof to make good things in his work. Howbeit very
few come unto this understanding, though many there be who with
greater toil (than, rightly spent, might bring them unto it) produce
EXTRACT FROM THE THIRD BOOK.
247
of men can seldom compass the beautiful in creatures rightly to de-
pict it. And, although we cannot speak of the greatest beauty of a
living creature, yet we find in the visible creation a beauty so far sur-
passing our understanding that not one of us can fully bring it into his
work.
Item. For different kinds of figures different kinds of men are to be
studied. Thus thou findest two families of mankind, white and black;
and a difference between them is to be marked, arising from the earth
which severeth them from us. Negro faces are seldom beautiful because
of their very flat noses and thick lips ; moreover their shinbone is too
prominent and the knee and foot too bony, not so good to look upon as
those of the whites ; and so also is it with their hands. Howbeit I have
seen some amongst them whose whole bodies have been so well-built
and handsome that I never beheld finer figures, nor can I conceive how
they might be bettered, so excellent were their arms and all their limbs.
Thus one findeth amongst the families of men types of every kind, which
may be used for figures of diverse sort according to the temperament.
So the strong are hard in body like unto lions, whilst the weak are
softer and not so rugged as the strong. Wherefore it is not seemly to
give a soft character to a very stong figure, or to a weak figure a hard
character. Howbeit, though as to thin and fat in figures some care is
needful, yet in figures of almost every kind soft and hard may be used
as a man will.
Life in Nature showeth forth the truth of these things, wherefore
regard it well, order thyself thereby and depart not from Nature in
thine opinions, neither imagine of thyself to invent aught better, else
shalt thou be led astray. For Art standeth firmly fixed in Nature, and
whoso can rend her forth thence, he only possesseth her. If thou
acquirest her, she will remove many faults for thee from thy work.
Moreover thou mayest demonstrate much of thy work by Geometry.
But what we cannot demonstrate, that must we leave to good intention
and the judgment (good taste) of men. Still experience availeth much
in these matters. The more closely thy work abideth by life in its form,
so much the better will it appear; and this is true. Wherefore never-
more imagine that thou either canst or shalt make anything better than
God hath given power to his creatures to do. For thy power is weak-
ness compared to God’s creating hand. Wherefore it is ordained that
no man shall ever be able to make a beautiful figure out of his own
thoughts unless he hath well stored his mind by study. But then that is no
longer to be called his own; it is art acquired and learnt, which soweth,
waxeth, and beareth fruit after its kind. Thence the gathered, secret
treasure of the heart is openly manifested in the work, and the new
creature, which a man createth in his heart, appeareth in the form of a
Thing.
Hence it ariseth that a well-practised artist hath no need to copy
each particular figure from the life. For it sufficeth him to pour forth
that which he hath for a long time gathered unto him from without;
and he hath whereof to make good things in his work. Howbeit very
few come unto this understanding, though many there be who with
greater toil (than, rightly spent, might bring them unto it) produce