Canon and the human body

The human body, proportion and canon

When representing the human body, it is necessary to understand its proportions. These ratios are different for boys, girls, and adults. In adults it varies between 7.5 and 8 heads.

Throughout history, civilisations have established ideal or perfect proportions of beauty, called canons.

For example, for the Greek sculptor Praxiteles (4th century BCE), the ideal beauty standard for an adult body is 8 heads.

Hermes and the Infant Dionysus, by Praxiteles (4th century BCE). Archaeological Museum of Olympia (Greece).

Aphrodite of Knidos, by Praxiteles. Roman marble copy. National Roman Museum. Palazzo Altemps. Rome (Italy).

Proportion of the human body

Look and draw two adults using the suggested diagram. Colour it in.