170 



MOVEMENT 



it is incontestable that, in ancient times, as well as at 

 the present day, artists have often represented move- 

 ment of the most active description, such as running or 

 fighting. Now, if old masterpieces are compared with 

 those of recent times, one is struck with this difference 

 between them, that the modern attitudes are quieter 

 and better poised, so to speak, while in ancient works 

 of art the figures sometimes appear in positions of 

 unstable equilibrium. Fig. 110, taken from a Greek 



Fig. 110. — Ocydromes or swift-runners (from a Greek vase). 



picture, is an example of this kind. Every one can 

 think of some modern picture representing a similar 

 subject. In sculpture especially, the action of running 

 is differently represented nowadays. The supporting 

 leg is generally seen vertically extended beneath the 

 centre of gravity of the body, while the other leg is 

 in an extreme position of elevation behind. 



Nature herself may fairly be appealed to in deciding 

 between these two methods of representing the same 

 action. Instantaneous photography is an excellent 

 means of showing the actual attitudes assumed. There 



