359

The movement of the torso.

Just so much as the part d a of the nude figure decreases in this position so much does the opposite part increase; that is: in proportion as the length of the part d a diminishes the normal size so does the opposite upper part increase beyond its [normal] size. The navel does not change its position to the male organ; and this shrinking arises because when a figure stands on one foot, that foot becomes the centre [of gravity] of the superimposed weight. This being so, the middle between the shoulders is thrust above it out of it perpendicular line, and this line, which forms the central line of the external parts of the body, becomes bent at its upper extremity [so as to be] above the foot which supports the body; and the transverse lines are forced into such angles that their ends are lower on the side which is supported. As is shown at a b c.

[Footnote: See Pl. XXII, No. 3.]

Taken from The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci edited by Jean Paul Richter, 1880.

Notebooks of Leonoardo da Vinci
VII: On the Proportions and on the Movements of the Human Figure.
. . .
339,
340,
341
The torso from the front and back.
342
Vitruvius’ scheme of proportions.
343
The arm and head.
344
Proportions of the arm.
345,
346,
347,
348,
349
The movement of the arm.
350,
351,
352,
353,
354
The movement of the torso.
355,
356,
357,
358,
359,
360,
361
The proportions vary at different ages.
362,
363,
364,
365,
366,
367
The movement of the human figure.
368,
369,
370,
371,
372,
373,
374
Of walking up and down.
375,
376,
377,
378,
379
. . .