Human figure
In aesthetics, the human figure or human form in art, sculpture and other art forms involves a study and appreciation of the beauty of the human body in its depiction or presentation. The study involves an appreciation of the body shape, including body postures - sitting, standing or even sleeping, and movements - walking, running, dancing etc. Kant refers to the human figure as the ideal of beauty.[1] The human figure conforms very well to the law that states that form follows function, which is believed to be a result of evolution over thousands of generations.
Study
The human figure is a common aspect in visual arts. Very few art forms are not related to human figure such as music, though it figures in lyrics. A study of the human figure includes a detailed study of the following subjects:
- Sculpture[2] is similar to figure drawing.
- Figure drawing involves the depiction of the body in different postures or in motion or at work.
- Literature involves the description of the human figure to imply its sexual attraction, physical ability and mentality.
- Dance is an art form that involves movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music,[3] used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting.
- Body language involves body posture, gestures, facial expressions, and eye movements.
- Fashion and accessories.
- Ergonomics in passenger vehicles and seatings, this deals with unisex approach to human figure.
- Gait analysis
- 3D animation
Body proportions
Body proportions are the study of relation of human body,[4] or in general, animal body, parts to each other and the whole, essential for depiction of the overall figure.
Sculpture and figure drawing
A figure drawing is a study of the human form in its various shapes and postures. It is a study or stylized depiction of the human form, with the line and form of the human figure as the primary objective, rather than the subject person. It is a composed image of the subject in a still position. A life drawing is a work that has been drawn from an observation of a live model.