HUMAN FORM

"The human body is the best work of art."

Jess C Scott

HUMAN FORM

Ever since prehistoric times, when our ancestors etched line drawings of themselves onto cave walls, we have been captivated by re-creating the human form. The representation of the body was of primary concern for Early Cycladic art and culture dating from 3200 BCE. And the human face and body were portrayed in both symbolic and realistic ways in Egyptian art dating back to 3000 BCE. But for artists, representing the human form means more than simply reproducing a likeness of a person. A portrait or sculpture can also capture and express the artist's unique perspective or ‘way of seeing’ the subject, not just its embodiment, but its essence and energy. Today, drawing from life remains an integral part of the curricular in art schools around

the world, in combination with the copying of classical works. Studying human anatomy is also a key focus for many artists. When you understand how the body moves and functions, you can readily convey the sensation of life and movement.

Artistic canons for body proportions have prevailed in the visual arts since Grecian times. They represent a formally codified set of criteria deemed mandatory for a particular artistic style of figurative art. Leonardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian man for example, created in 1492, is based on a record of body proportions made by the architect Vitruvius. Leonardo’s Vitruvian Man, is a prime example of work intended to explore the idea of proportion. The piece is part work of art and part mathematical diagram, conveying the Old Masters belief that “everything connects to everything else.”

Artwork from top left: Jonathan Hateley, Jeremy Bear, Loi Phan, Michele O'Neill