The works of the late Professor Camper, on the connexion between the science of anatomy, and the art of drawing, painting, statuary, &c., &c. / translated from the Dutch by T. Cogan, M.D.

  • Petrus Camper
Date:
1794
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The works of the late Professor Camper, on the connexion between the science of anatomy, and the art of drawing, painting, statuary, &c., &c. / translated from the Dutch by T. Cogan, M.D. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    [ ] The fkilful reprefentation of the paffions of the mind, by painting or by ftatuary, has been admired from the remoteft times. Pliny informs us, that one Ariftides of Thebes was the firft who delineated with fuccefs the various emotions of the foul. Although the arms, legs, and different portions of the body co-operate in the expreflion of certain emotions, yet the face has always been confidered as their principal feat. Cicero terms the countenance the mute interpreter of the heart; and Seneca, who had made great progrefs in the knowledge of the human mind, juftly remarks, that violent emotions, of every kind, cannot efcape manifefting themfelves in the countenance. To thefe general obfervations the an-* tients have alfo added, that the eyes are mod expreffive of thefe emotions. Pliny, that proficient in all the polite arts, fays, « the mind dwells in the eye.” He alfo knew, that the motions of the eyebrows contribute a confiderable fhare to the oftentive effects. I mult refer you to the Treatife of Jimius, on the know-* ledge of the antients in painting, if you wifli to be informed concerning the extent of this knowledge. It is true, the principal performances of their renowned matters are loft; but from the Laocoon alone, we may collect how deeply they had invefligated the influence of pain. Not merely does the face, but the arms, legs, in jQiort all the mufcles of the body, indicate anguiib. The lovelinefs of the Venus de Medicis—the dignity of the Pythian Apollo—the deities, male and female, engraved
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