DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.19388#0029
IN THE FIRST PLATE.
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that the figures and their parts ought almost always to have a serpentine and flaming
form naturally; these sorts of outlines have I know not what of life and seeming mo-
tion in them, which very much resembles the activity of the flame and of the serpent.''
Elsum, in his Art of Painting,* after he has quoted the above precept of Michael
Angelo, has this remarkable passage:
" But for as much as there are two sorts of pyramids, the one straight as is that
near St. Peter's in Rome, called the pyramid of Julius Caesar; the other waived like
flame, and is called Michael Angelo s serpentine. This latter also a painter must imi-
tate, his contours must turn and wind like a serpent."
It is presumed that the tenth figure has all the properties mentioned by the
foregoing authors; it actually expresses motion as that of a flame, of a streamer
agitated by the wind, is a true representation of the decreasing swell of a wave, and
is consequently a proper study for those who are emulous of excelling in designing
the outlines of the human body; and though it may not carry with it sufficient proof
of its being the very precept of Michael Angelo, it is hoped the time which is be-
stowed on its consideration will not be thrown away.
The Construction of the Tenth Figure.
Upon the line A B, draw a circle C at pleasure, take the diameter of that circle,
and from the circumference of the circle C, upon the line A B draw the circle D,
which will be twice the diameter of C, then take the distance from the centres C and
D, and from the circumference of the circle D draw the circle E, which will be three
times the diameter of C the lesser circle, and proceed to draw the curves in the same
manner as described in Fig. X.
FIGURE XI.
Shews the manner of dividing a Line into any number of equal Parts.
This figure will be found to be of great use in forming squares for drawings
from pictures, whether they are to be enlarged or reduced, and is constructed in the
following manner:
Draw AB, the line proposed, and from A draw the line AD at pleasure, then
setting the compasses in A, cut the lines AB and AD in EF, and, keeping the
same distance in the compasses from B, cut the line A B at G, then take the distance
EF, and, setting it off from G to H, draw the line B I, upon which (the line in the
example being divided into eight parts) set off at pleasure seven equal parts, and do
the same upon A D, (observing always to set off one part less than the number re-
quired,) draw lines from the marks in TB to those in AD, and the line AB will be
divided into eight equal parts.
* See Elsum's Art of Painting after the Italian manner, printed at London, 1703.
21
that the figures and their parts ought almost always to have a serpentine and flaming
form naturally; these sorts of outlines have I know not what of life and seeming mo-
tion in them, which very much resembles the activity of the flame and of the serpent.''
Elsum, in his Art of Painting,* after he has quoted the above precept of Michael
Angelo, has this remarkable passage:
" But for as much as there are two sorts of pyramids, the one straight as is that
near St. Peter's in Rome, called the pyramid of Julius Caesar; the other waived like
flame, and is called Michael Angelo s serpentine. This latter also a painter must imi-
tate, his contours must turn and wind like a serpent."
It is presumed that the tenth figure has all the properties mentioned by the
foregoing authors; it actually expresses motion as that of a flame, of a streamer
agitated by the wind, is a true representation of the decreasing swell of a wave, and
is consequently a proper study for those who are emulous of excelling in designing
the outlines of the human body; and though it may not carry with it sufficient proof
of its being the very precept of Michael Angelo, it is hoped the time which is be-
stowed on its consideration will not be thrown away.
The Construction of the Tenth Figure.
Upon the line A B, draw a circle C at pleasure, take the diameter of that circle,
and from the circumference of the circle C, upon the line A B draw the circle D,
which will be twice the diameter of C, then take the distance from the centres C and
D, and from the circumference of the circle D draw the circle E, which will be three
times the diameter of C the lesser circle, and proceed to draw the curves in the same
manner as described in Fig. X.
FIGURE XI.
Shews the manner of dividing a Line into any number of equal Parts.
This figure will be found to be of great use in forming squares for drawings
from pictures, whether they are to be enlarged or reduced, and is constructed in the
following manner:
Draw AB, the line proposed, and from A draw the line AD at pleasure, then
setting the compasses in A, cut the lines AB and AD in EF, and, keeping the
same distance in the compasses from B, cut the line A B at G, then take the distance
EF, and, setting it off from G to H, draw the line B I, upon which (the line in the
example being divided into eight parts) set off at pleasure seven equal parts, and do
the same upon A D, (observing always to set off one part less than the number re-
quired,) draw lines from the marks in TB to those in AD, and the line AB will be
divided into eight equal parts.
* See Elsum's Art of Painting after the Italian manner, printed at London, 1703.