[Suggested translation, Marije Osnabrugge:] Similarly the Art of Painting compares very well with Poetry, as the one as well as the other sneaks into our hearts with a brave entertaining movement, where it moves and startles our defeated mind by the attraction of a pleasant astonishment in which we accept that which has been imitated for real.

[Suggested translation, Marije Osnabrugge:] It appears that the highly famous virtues of the old Masters consisted mostly in that they imitated the quick movements of their warmed spirit audaciously; just like their trained long-practiced senses could not remark something, which their experienced hands would not know how to express capably. It’s no wonder, then, that these Arts in former times increased tremendously, when the brave spirits of great Masters went through their work with a bold hand;

This comment on the citation from Pliny does not exist in the Latin edition. The English edition is also more concisive here. [MO]

[Suggested translation, Marije Osnabrugge:] A complete and ably done Invention has to spring forth from a large and deeply rooted wisdom; no studies should be unknown to us; we have to know all about the whole antiquity together with the countless number of Poetic and Historical tales; yet it is most necessary that we thoroughly understand the manifold movements of the human mind as well as all the special characteristics of it, seen that the great and admired power of these Arts lays most in the lively expression of such commotion. So we understand how the Artists were once judged with a special insight as wise men; seen that one can hardly find one in all the other free Arts, who has to deal more with the help of a high and well-evoked wisdom.

This section is not included in the first Latin edition (1637). [MO]

[Suggested translation, Marije Osnabrugge:] It is certainly so and we believe that a fine and able Artist should above all aim for an experience of natural things: Not that we intend to lock him up in a vault somewhere, to break his head on different Geometrical tests; even less that he would go through the experience of so many contrasting opinions of the natural Philosophers by himself, in order to perfectly understand the true nature of all sorts of passion and movements: This is not the opinion: Because we think it is enough that he finds out through a daily observation how the manifold situations and commotions of our mind change and startle the gesture of our face. Every commotion of our mind, says Cicero {…}, receives a certain feature from nature, which one may interpret as the special and particular feature of this commotion

CICERO, Marcus Tullius

Junius elaborates on the amount of knowledge an artist has to acquire on subjects like geometry and philosophy in order to understand passions (hartstocht) and emotions (beweging / beroering). He concludes that a certain experience (ervarenheid) is necessary, rather than an in-depth study. This experience can be acquired by means of a close observation (opmerking) of facial expressions (gelaat) and emotions. [MO]

[Suggested translation, Marije Osnabrugge:] Whenever it happens that he finds himself in a group in which some people are clearly startled, one would immediately believe from his attentive seriousness that he has sought out such a situation, to read from the eyes of the startled peopled the manifold appearance of wrath, love, fear, hope, blame, happiness, trust and such movements. Although the Art-loving great Masters made the most work and study of this, nonetheless they sometimes also tend to free some time to attempt the Art of Virtue, the natural Philosophy, several Histories, Poetical embellishements, as well as the Mathematical sciences: Since although it is clear that the ethics, natural Philosophers, History-writers, Poetes and mathematicians are unable to make any Painter [sic]; nonetheless the knowledge of these Arts brings forth so much, that the Artists who manage quite well in these sciences are thought to be better and more perfect Painters.

This excerpt does not occur in the Latin edition of 1637. [MO]

[Suggested translation, Marije Osnabrugge:] Just like the old Artists had a very striking manner of working, as such they had a special gift to imagine the true representation of all sorts of movements of our mind in the most lively way; yes we may also interpret freely, that they would never have filled their works again with such able expressions of the different passions, if they had not have thought it painfully worthful to wisely trace all those natural commotions by which our mind delights and the common appearance of our being is changed varyingly. Zeuxis has made a painting of Penelope, in a way that he appears to have artfully depicted the modesty of her being. Plin. XXXV.9. Timomachus has depicted the raging Aiax, and how he behaved in this outrageous madness Philostr. Lib. II. de vita Apollonii.Cap. 10. Silanion has made the resentful Artist Apollodorus; and as this Apollodorus was a grumpy guy, Silanion did not only cast the Artist himself, but also his stubborn touchiness Plin. XXXIV.8. Protogenes has painted Philiscus, being taken by deep reflections Plin. XXXV.10. Praxiteles has made Phyrne, as if one saw her luxuriant heart bathe in a great see of happiness and lust, Plin. XXXIV.8. Parrhasius made a young man who is walking around in his armour looking for a fight, Plin. ibidem. Philostratus {…} describes a painting to us of a Bacchus who can only be recognized by the heartaches that torture him. These examples illustrate clearly enough, how big a skill the old Masters have had in expressing all sorts of commotions and movements;

PARRHASIUS (Parrhasios)
PHILOSTRATOS
PLINIUS, L'Ancien
PRAXITELES
PROTOGENES
SILANION
TIMOMACHOS
ZEUXIS

Only the citations are mentioned in the Latin edition, but there is no commentary, like in the Dutch and English edition. [MO]

[Suggested translation, Marije Osnabrugge:] Philostratus has expressed the true nature as well as the true power of the Art of Drawing much clearer. It may not be denied that the lines, he says {…}, that exist without any splendor of colours but only in light and shadow, deserve the name of Painting; as we see not only the similitude of the depicted persons in it, but also their movements itself, whether that they are averted out of a hesitant shame or are driven towards something by a frank diligence and although these lines that are composed in the most simple way do not express the mixing of blood or the youthfulness of the hair and the beard in any way, nevertheless they modestly illustrate the perfect shape of a black or white man to us.

PHILOSTRATOS

[suggested translation, Marije Osnabrugge:] But notwithstanding that we said earlier (although not without reason), that the power of the Art of Painting is general, to produce everything, except the living Souls in the Images, as such some have doubted whether one could be able to depict lifeless things in their movement: {Whether one can depict things that appear to be moving.} which (although observed by few) we would plainly like to argue with a Yes; because nobody will be able to contradict, that the Art follows nature in everything, especially in that which can be observed during a period of time with consideration:

[suggested translation, Marije Osnabrugge:] Fourthly a Painter should also understand the Anatomy very well, or the external and internal posture and distribution of the Human figure: {Should also be experienced in the Anatomy.} From this he should know the right proportional size in Nature, and the analysis of every part in regard to the whole, the weight and counter-weight in its movement. The variability of all natural and composed Actions, as for example going, standing, speaking, pointing, walking, jumping, throwing, carrying, pulling, standing, bowing and countless other actions. How this movement is carried out by the Muscles {Muscles.}, and how these are in appearance and specific use, where they put the most effort in one or another Action, and show themselves.

[suggested translation, Marije Osnabrugge:] And to conclude the true power of the Art of Drawing by means of an argument, let us then hear how Philostratus describes it to us in his second book in the life of Apollonius, where he argues as follows. {How Philostratus describes the Art of Drawing.) It cannot be denied (he says) that the lines that exist without any ostentation of colour but only in light and shadow, deserve the name of Painting; as we discern not only the likenesses of the depicted Persons, but also their movements;

PHILOSTRATOS

This section is not included in the English translation. [MO]

[suggested translation, Marije Osnabrugge:] Yes one may freely believe, that the Art of Drawing and Painting forces us to understand all the muscles that are used for the movement of the limbs: Because the Draughtsman who has a profound knowledge of the shape and nature of the Muscles, Tendons and Chords, will simultaneously be able to understand the course and movement of a limb, and it will provide him indication in the observation of a nude (although they sometimes appear very doubtful) how they are attached to each other and which Muscle swell because a Tendon pulls back, and on the other hand which others detract and shrink . On the other hand, those who only understand this loosely and without foundation and only know to depict one and the same Muscle in one way and place in different types of Action.

[BLANC J, 2006, p. 316] {Le mouvement d’ensemble.} Faites en sorte que le mouvement de vos figures soit beau dans l’ensemble.

[BLANC J, 2006, p. 446] On appelle donc participation cette douceur et cette force de l'entente des couleurs, qui se correspondent les unes des autres et qui forment comme le fil de l'oeuvre. Elle fait presque autant pour la peinture ou le coloris que ce que la bonne ordonnance par groupes et l'ordonnancement tempéré font pour l'art du dessin.

[suggested translation, Marije Osnabrugge:] That which the People know how to do best in their movement from the Teachings of Nature and without any effort or Instruction, this has to be executed through the observation of different Rules, taken from Life, in the Art of Painting and Sculpting. It cannot be hard to understand, that like Man knows how to make a natural counterweight with one of his limbs in all his movements and Postures, by means of the limbs that are less active, in order to steadily carry out his action; And forbid, if he then does not manage to make this counterweight, that he may come outside the Line of his Balance, and fall towards it.

[suggested translation, Marije Osnabrugge:] In the Art of Painting they would fit better, when they are shown more or less twisted: The Reason is that from the side, offering a well-chosen posture and moment of Observation, they properly show that they were not selected at random, originating in their own free movement, but with consideration; {The Figures should always have a coincidental posture in a composition.} which is contradicting the loose movement, which should always be seen in Figures, yes it even eliminates it.

[suggested translation, Marije Osnabrugge:] Because someone will quickly bring us to mind, that the Soul of Man only belongs to the invisible things and not at all to the Art of Painting; which only selects the visible Bodies for its subject. Yet we answer: Since the Art-Figures lack Life and movement from their own Nature; it exhorts us even more to consider Means, by which the Figures in Paintings can be constructed such, that they may make the Spectator discard all thoughts of Canvas and Panel, Paint and Oil, or of Wood and Stone and Copper – if they were to be casted or sculpted - , and give him the Idea that he believes not to see Painted or Casted, but rather Natural Living Human figures before his eyes

[suggested translation, Marije Osnabrugge:] But if we let all these Medical thoughts go; we have to learn from all that has been said, that there is a great difference between the movements that are made without the Will and with the Will; {Distinction between movements.} since in that which one wants, one usually has more ability, more diligent Action and Fury, than in the simple actions, which are often executed from the general Train of Thoughts outside our Thinking. Because of this an Artist should take care that – in the depiction and expression of the Actions and movements – that he provides his Figures with such Actions and movements, as coincides with the Will, Soul and Intention that he wants his Figures to have: So that he may show his own thoughts and those of his Figures to the Spectator through his art. And that everyone with his own considerations in mind, may complete those things for himself, which appear to be impossible for the art to add to the action of the Figures.

[suggested translation, Marije Osnabrugge:] If you now have designed the sketch in its roughest form, and all the bigger parts are marked in their place, as such one shall observe the object and its sketch, in comparison to each other, with a careful judgement, a little bit in one’s hand, to see if the composition has been satisfactorily placed and if the figures sufficiently do their movement; because if this is not observed correctly in the sketch, one will find such a big and sad work for the moving and improvement of the parts in the composition, that the diligence and desire of the drawing will be lost before one can even show it partially finished. […] In the composition, one should first make sure, that the looseness of the actions that is already in the sketch, does not disappear from it. Which can easily happen, when one does not pay attention through which parts the natural movement and action of the figures are caused.

[The French translator, wrongfully, interpreted the first occurrence of werking in the sense of effect, not of action. [MO]

[D'après DE LAIRESSE, 1787, p. 56:] Il faut d’abord que vous ayez une connoissance approfondie des proportions du corps humain, & des effets de passions, afin que vous sachiez, non-seulement donner à vos figures les attitudes & les mouvemens qui leur conviennent, mais que vous puissez rendre, en même tems, raison de ce qui vous détermine à les représenter de cette manière […]

[D'après DE LAIRESSE 1787, p.75:] Je me bornerai ici à donner une idée générale de la Beauté, que je tracerai, le mieux qu’il me sera possible, d’après plusieurs systêmes & principalement d’après les modèles que les Grecs nous en ont transmis par leurs productions. Je dis donc que la Beauté d’une figure nue, soit d’homme ou de femme, consiste, premièrement, en ce que les membres soient bien proportionés ; secondement, qu’ils ayent un mouvement libre, aisé & gracieux ; troisièmement, que le coloris en soit frais & beau.

[D'après DE LAIRESSE 1787, p.82:] Il est même impossible qu’aucune attitude puisse être belle, ou qu’il y ait de mouvement agréable, s’il n’est point les trois qualités dont nous venons de parler; savoir, un contour élégant & noble, un contraste bien raisonné & gracieux, avec un beau coloris […]

[D'après DE LAIRESSE 1738, p.18:] Let us proceed now to the second of the Parts wherein Beauty consists, namely, The Motion of the Members. This depends chiefly on contrasting or Opposition of all the Members of the Body, and on their Lights and Shades ; which give a Figure Motion and Life […]

[D'après DE LAIRESSE 1787, p.90:] […] il est difficile, pour ne pas dire impossible, de bien exprimer les fortes passions par le moyen des mouvemens du corps, à cause de l’analogie qu’il y a entre les unes & les autres, soit au commencement ou à la fin de la passion, car il arrive souvent qu’un état de l’ame ou de l’esprit tient médiatement à un autre. […] il en est de même de toutes les émotions violentes de l’ame & de toutes les fortes douleurs du corps […]

[D'après DE LAIRESSE 1787, p. 321-322:] Le contraste des attitudes ou des mouvemens des figures est fondé sur des règles certaines, dont on peut s’instruire en peu de tems, & qu’on peut même enseigner aux autres. La proportion des membres peut pareillement être démontrée d’une manière géométrique, ainsi que l’a remarqué Albert Durer ; & il en est de même du clair-obscur, dont on acquiert une connoissance fondée par les loix de la perspective.

DÜRER, Albrecht

[D'après DE LAIRESSE 1738, p. 226:] But, let us now see how these Things can be exhibited : Are there not abundance of Motions, Postures and Passions, which herein afford us Help, and which Nature herself and daily Instances shew us, if we will but take notice of them ?