Weigall, Charles Harvey; Mason, Walter George [Ill.]: The Art Of Figure Drawing: Containing Practical Instructions For A Course Of Study In This Branch Of Art ; With Seventeen Illustrations, Drawn On Wood By The Author, And Engraved By Walter G. Mason (London, 1853 [ersch.1854])

THE HANI).

PLATES VI. and VII.

THE HAND.

The length from the wrist to the tip of the middle
ringer is f of a head.

From the wrist to the division of the ringers is one
half of the hand.

The thumb is one quarter of the head, or equal to 1
nose in length.

It will be well to observe, for the direction of the pupil,
that the natural position of the upper arm, is at an angle
outwards, and that of the lower arm inwards ; so that, in
a figure at perfect ease, the hands would approach each
other in front.

The same observation applies to the lower limbs, which
incline inwards from their junction with the body.

The fingers also have an inclination inwards towards
the middle of the hand : the second finger is straight.
In closing the hand, the thumb, the first, third, and
fourth fingers converge towards the second finger.

The muscular action of the foot is so much destroyed
by the habit of wearing shoes, that it has lost its natural
action; but in nations accustomed to leave the foot as
free as the hand, it has the power of grasping an
object with firmness. It has the same construction as the