A n a t o m y stands related to the arts of design, as
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;
which is adapted to convey the effect of
historical narration, as well as to show the working
of human passion, and give the most striking and
lively indications of intellectual power and energy.
The art of the painter, considered with a view to
these interesting representations, assumes a high character.
All the lesser embellishments and minuteness
of representation are, by an artist who has those
more enlarged views of his profession, regarded as
foreign to the main subject: distracting and hurtful
to the grand effect, admired only because they have
