The anatomy and philosophy of expression as connected with the fine arts / by Sir Charles Bell.

  • Bell, Charles, Sir, 1774-1842.
Date:
1847
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The anatomy and philosophy of expression as connected with the fine arts / by Sir Charles Bell. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    mcnt, and capable of cultivation. Drawing is necessary to many pursuits and useful arts : Locke has included it amongst the accomplishments becoming a gentleman, and, we may add, it is much more useful to the artisan. Good taste and execution in design are necessary to manufactures; and consequently they contribute to the resources of a country. I am not without hope that a new impulse may be given to the cultivation of the fine arts, by explaining their relation to the natural history of man and animals ; and by shewing howr a knowledge of outward form, and the accuracy of drawing which is a consequence of it, are related to the interior structure and functions. Anatomy, in its relation to the arts of design, is, in truth, the grammar of that language in which they address us. The expressions, attitudes, and movements of the human figure are the characters of this language, adapted to convey the effect of historical narration, as wrell as to shew the working of human passion, and to give the most striking and lively indications of intellectual power and energy. The art of the painter, considered writh a view7 to these interesting representations, assumes a high character. Every lesser embellishment and minuteness of detail is regarded by an artist who has those more enlarged views of his profession as foreign to the main design, distracting and hurtful to the grand effect, admired only as accurate imitations, almost appearing to be what they are not. This distinction must be felt, or wre shall never see the grand style in painting receive that encouragement which results from public feeling and good taste. The painter must not be satisfied to copy and represent what he sees ; he must cultivate this talent of