ARTISTIC COMPOSITION. 319 



two sides of the body. In speaking of mobile ex- 

 pressions, the term symmetry is intended to signify 

 similar movements, or similar postures as the 

 results of movements. In the Venus the hands 

 are symmetrical, though the arms are not symme- 

 trical. Thus we speak of symmetry of action when 

 the limbs on each side move alike. 



VI. " Excitation of weak centres." A certain 

 amount of mental excitement is expressed by the 

 over-action of small muscles. Thus the backward 

 extension of the fingers in Venus, and the straight 

 extension of the fingers in Cain, show mental ex- 

 citement. In the face the action of the small 

 corrugator muscles of the forehead shows mental 

 excitement; contrast this with the animal spirits 

 expressed by the action of the larger (zygomatic) 

 muscles used in grinning. 



VII. " General excitement or weakness." If a 

 similar condition of excitement or weakness affect 

 the body generally the stronger flexor muscles 

 prevail. Hence, in convulsion, the hand is clenched, 

 " the convulsive hand ; " the same action is seen in 

 strong passion. 



If all the muscles are similarly relaxed, as in 

 sleep, the stronger prevail, hence flexion results. 

 In rest the hand is partially flexed. 



VIII. and IX. " Analogy" and "Antithesis" are 

 principles that will, I think, often assist in com- 

 position. 



In a piece of sculpture exhibited at the Royal 

 Academy, a child's hands were represented with 

 the fingers flexed and the thumbs turned in a 



