Credit: © The Royal Society
                             
                         
                     
                         
                         
                             
                                 Image number: RS.10338
                             
                         
                         
                     
                 
                        Looking for a special gift? Buy a print of this image.
                    
                
            Reclining male figures
                                Date
                            
                            
                                1663
                            
                            
                        
                            
                            
                            
                                Creator
                            
                            
                                Unknown, Engraver
                            
                            
                        
                            
                            
                            
                                After
                            
                            
                            
                        
                            
                            
                            
                                Object type
                            
                            
                            
                        
                            
                            
                            
                                Library reference
                            
                            
                                Tracts/X4/2
                            
                            
                        
                            
                            
                            
                                Material
                            
                            
                            
                        
                            
                            
                            
                                Technique
                            
                            
                            
                        
                            
                            
                            
                                Dimensions
                            
                            
                                height (print): 183mm
width (print): 235mm
                            
                        
                            
                            
                            width (print): 235mm
                                Subject
                            
                            
                            
                        
                            
                            
                            
                                Content object
                            
                            
                            
                        
                            
                            
                            
                                Description
                            
                            
                                This diagram illustrates the reclining anatomical proportions of two male figures, one facing forward, one backwards. With arms outstretched they jointly hold a wreath of leaves.  
Plate 28 from La Vraye Science de la Pourtraicture Descrite & Demonstrée by Jean Cousin (Paris, Francois Demasso, 1663). Inscribed: ‘Demonstration de deux autres figures assises, toutes deux d’un mesme traict. 34 I2’
                            
                            
                        
                            
                            
                            Plate 28 from La Vraye Science de la Pourtraicture Descrite & Demonstrée by Jean Cousin (Paris, Francois Demasso, 1663). Inscribed: ‘Demonstration de deux autres figures assises, toutes deux d’un mesme traict. 34 I2’
                                Object history
                            
                            
                                Jean Cousin’s publication was created to assist those involved in the arts (‘painters, sculptures, goldsmiths, architects, carpenters’) in the ‘true science’ of anatomy and portraiture.  It proved very popular and from its first publication in c.1595, continued to be reprinted until the late 17th century. 
                            
                            
                        
                            
                            
                            
                                Associated place