The principles of art: Motion, Character, Perspective of the human figure, Anatomy, Proportions, Drapery, Composition and Style: 832/5.f.34

Materials used in production

Brown ink

Components of the work

Support composed of laid paper
Leaf Size Height 213 mm Width 150 mm

Techniques used in production

Handwriting : Pen and brown ink on laid paper

Inscription or legends present

Inscription present: [i] preceding two words crossed through in brown ink; [ii] preceding three words crossed through in brown ink; [iii] preceding word crossed through in brown ink

• Text: in the above quotation from Pliny & Pausanias / we see the progress of the principles of the Arts of / design, from the beginning to[i] first attempts to / the Time of Phidias; let us now take these[ii] / let now illustrate[iii] consider these elements according / to the order of their discovery, & as they are only / indicated in the 2 Authors abovementioned, their / illustration & explanation must be given from / the remaining works of the ancient artists always / submitting that which is advanced to tryal[sic] of these / ancient authors whenever it may be necessary / we shall consider these principles under the / following heads / 1 Motion / 2 Character / 3 Perpective of the / Human figure / 4 Anatomy / 5 Proportions / 6 Drapery / 7 Composition / 8 Style
• Location: Recto
• Method of creation: Brown ink

Inscription present: [i] preceding three words crossed through in brown ink; [ii] preceding word crossed through in brown ink; [iii] preceding two words crossed through in brown ink; [iv] preceding word crossed through in brown ink; [v] preceding two words crossed through in brown ink; [vi] preceding three words crossed through in brown ink

• Text: Motion - can be placed / The most simple position in which the human figure - / is when the human figure[i] it stands perfectly erect / resting on[ii] equally on both feet in which case the / center of gravity falls from the gullet between the / intersecting the pit of the stomach & the[iv] naveal conti- / -nuing its perpendicular equally between the knees & ancles[sic] / to the ground, as this is the simplest position, so / it naturally became the first object of imitation / for Art such as we see in the early Egyptian / Statues & it is most likely the early greek / statues were the same from the supposition / of the next article / 1st variation from Inaction in the standing / figure, when it is poised on one leg, the centre of gravity falls from the gullet on that side of / the pit of the stomach & naval next to the leg / which supports the weight; it intersects the upper[iii] lower / part of the Femur & upper part of the Tibia / just on the inside of the knee of the standing leg / it continues its perpendicular intersection thro' / thro the inner ancle to the ground: in this action / from the shoulder to the bottom of the ribs on the side / of the standing leg is lower than the other side of / the body, on the[v] whilst the ilium or[vi] hip-bone / the knee & the ancle are lower than on the same / side are higher than the opposite / fig 1 & 2 A
• Location: Verso
• Method of creation: Brown ink

Identification numbers

Accession number: 832/5.f.34
Primary reference Number: 38322
Stable URI

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Thursday 20 May 2021 Last processed: Tuesday 13 June 2023

Associated departments & institutions

Owner or interested party: The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department: Paintings, Drawings and Prints