Artistic Anatomy Of Animals - Paperback

by Edouard Cuyer (Author)

PREFACE A FEW lines will suffice to explain why we have compiled the present volume, to what wants it responds, and what its sphere of usefulness may possibly embrace. In our teaching of plastic anatomy, especially at the cole des Beaux-Arts-where, for the past nine years, we have had the very great honour of supplementing the teaching of our distinguished master, Mathias Duval, after having been prosector for his course of lectures since 1881-it is our practice to give, as a complement to the study of human anatomy, a certain number of lessons on the anatomy of those animals which artists might be called on to represent. Now, we were given to understand that the subject treated in our lectures interested our hearers, so much so that we were not surprised to learn that a certain number repeatedly expressed a desire to see these lectures united in book form. To us this idea was not new for many years the work in question had been in course of preparation, and we had collected materials for it, with the object of filling up a void of which the existence was to be regretted. But our many engagements prevented us from executing our pro- ject as early as we would have wished. It is this work which we publish to-day. Putting aside for a moment the wish expressed by our hearers, we feel ourselves in duty bound to inquire whether the utility of this publication is self-evident. Let it be clearly understood that we wish to express here our opinion on this subject, while putting aside every personal senti- ment of an author. No one now disputes the value of anatomical studies made in view of carrying out the artistic representation of man. Nevertheless-for we must provide against all con- tingencies-the conviction on this subject may be more or less absolute and yet it must possess this character in an intense degree in order that these studies may be profit- able, and permit the attainment of the goal which is proposed in undertaking them. It is in this way that we ever strive to train the students whose studies we direct not only to admit the value of these studies, but to be materially and deeply convinced of the fact without any restriction. Such is the sentiment which we endeavour to create and vigorously encourage. And we may be permitted to add that we have often been successful in this direction. Therefore it is that, at the beginning of our lectures, and in anticipation of possible objections, we are accustomed to take up the question of the utility of plastic anatomy. And in so doing, it is in order to combat at the outset the idea-as mischievous as it is false-which is sometimes imprudently enunciated, that the possession of scientific knowledge is likely to tarnish the purity and freshness of the impressions received by the artist, and to place shackles on the emotional sincerity of their representation. It is chiefly by employment of examples that we approach the subject. These strike the imagination of ths student more forcibly, and the presentation of models of a certain choice, although rough in execution, is, in our opinion, preferable to considerations of an order possibly more exalted, but of a character less clearly practical. Let us, then, ask the question Those artists whose eminence nobody would dare to question, did they study anatomy If the answer be in the affirmative, we surely cannot permit ourselves to believe that we can dispense with a similar course. And, as proof of the studies of this class which the masters have made, we may cite Raphael, Aiichel- angelo, and, above all, Leonardo da Vinci and, of the modems, GCricault. And we may more clearly define these proofs by an examination of the reproductions of their anatomical works, chosen from certain of their special writings...