Anatomy for the Artist

by Jenő Barcsay

It’s the classic in its fielda reference work of unparalleled importance for all professionals and students of art. This superb art manual is the best guide available on a subject that has fascinated artists for the human body. Jenö Barcsay, a professor who taught applied anatomy at the Budapest Academy of Fine Arts, offers a detailed portrayal of the body for the fine artist in 142 full-page plates. From the entire skeleton and the joints in and out of motion to all the muscles and even facial characteristics, every body part appears in close-up and from varying perspectives. Accompanying the images are brief discussions of male and female anatomical construction, explaining precisely the articulations and movement of the foot, the arm, the trunk, the spinal column, and the skull. In many cases, two sketches appear side by one just lightly traced in, and marked with letters to show how proportions and perspective were figured, and another fully finished drawing. Without the indispensable information contained on these illuminating pages, painters cannot observe with understanding all the attitudes, positions, and movements of which the body is capableand produce a truly magnificent work of art.Features a new concealed spiral that keeps the book open as you work!

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Reference, Drawing, Design, Education, Art Design

342 pages, Spiral-bound

First published January 1, 1953

About the author

Born in Katona, Hungary in 1900, Barcsay was a descendant of an aristocratic family from Transylvania. In 1919, he went to Budapest where he began his studies in the Art School and graduated in 1924. The summer of 1926 was spent in Makó and Hódmezővásárhely, where he worked on the constructive structural powers in landscapes. In 1926, he went to Paris for a year where he discovered the works of Cézanne. Cézanne's paintings greatly influenced the young artist.
While in Italy in 1927, Barcsay learned about the Quattrocento movement of the early Renaissance, particularly the anatomical studies of the period. He became a resident of Szentendre after many visits and embarked on another fellowship to Paris in 1929 to understand the rules of cubism. He became a teacher at the Municipal Apprentice School from 1931 to 1945 and later became a teacher at the Art School from 1945 until his retirement, where he taught figure sketching and anatomy.

Reviews

[Marv · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found my grandson at the age of 4 reading this book. He said to me "Grandpa these are just like my dinosaur books only about people." He was very fascinated by it.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have this book in both the large A3 size and the smaller size. It offers very clear images of anatomy, bone structure, muscles, ect, and is invaluable as a resource for me when I want to research how the body works for a new painting.

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic for improving on sketching difficult parts of the body, like hands and feet. Provides some complex examples but talks you through them, with beautiful artwork throughout.

[J.G. Keely · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is less a book than a tome of knowledge; and like any good tome, it will take a long, long time to decipher all the meaning in the strange words and diagrams.

[MUHAMMAD ABDULLAH · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of those timeless references that every artist should keep nearby. Anatomy for the Artist isn’t just a technical guide filled with diagrams—it feels like a bridge between science and art. Jenő Barcsay manages to show the human body in a way that is both highly accurate and deeply inspiring.

The drawings are clean, detailed, and easy to study. I especially appreciated how the book moves from the skeleton to the muscles and then into proportions, so you see how everything connects. The spiral edition is practical too—it lies flat while you draw, making it a real studio companion rather than just a bookshelf decoration.

It’s not a quick or casual read, but that’s the point. This book rewards slow study and practice. Every time I open it, I notice something new about form, balance, or movement.

[Art of the saints · Rating 4 out of 5]

god, save me, i hadn't ever failed in english, my teacher did it so bad

[Ottilee B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've had this book a long time. It is a really good art book that shows the musculature and how the muscles move in both the male and female form. Excellent drawings in differing positions: using your imagination you can see exactly how the muscles react to each other. Keep in mind these are drawings and NOT actual anatomy. They may not be as precise as you'd like! They are, however, an excellent starting point.

[Billy · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Anatomy for the Artist" is a fantastic book that delves into the intricacies of human anatomy and how it relates to art. It's a valuable resource for artists looking to improve their understanding of the human body and enhance their figure drawing skills. The book provides detailed illustrations and explanations of bones, muscles, and other anatomical structures, making it easier to capture the human form accurately. It's definitely worth checking out if you're interested in honing your artistic abilities!

[Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I added this book to my library many years ago, and the illustrations are indeed rich and beautiful. The book is also highly informative, especially if your aim is to see examples of how a master draftsman draws human anatomy. But however beautiful this book is, as an anatomical reference book it is somewhat limited by the fact that it includes no photographs or minutely detailed illustrations. If you were attempting to articulate and identify muscles, tendons, nerves, etc., on an actual cadaver or even a model's body, this is not the best book to consult. Moreover, since the models used by Barcsay are almost exclusively males with well-defined musculature, his drawings would be of only limited use if applied to bodies with a normal percentage of body fat. But the 340 page book has a number of notable strengths. First, it includes numerous drawings of joint articulations and movements that provide views of bones and muscles in poses that are not depicted elsewhere, to my knowledge. And the simplified nature of the drawings makes them ideal for someone who is interested in learning only about the aspects of human anatomy with which artists must be concerned. Moreover, as I already mentioned, the book is an excellent reference if your desire is to see how an artist can render the human form.

If you want a reference that includes photos and more detailed renderings, you might consider, first, the classic "Albinus On Anatomy," by Hale and Coyle. Their reproductions of Albinus' exquisite engravings are highly instructive, and the engravings themselves are unmatched in their accuracy and detail, even today. Fritz Schider's "An Atlas of Anatomy for Artists" is also a reliable guide, including both drawings and photographs in the sections on anatomy, and at the end of the book, a compendium of old master drawings and engravings by artists like Michelangelo, Vesalius, Dürer, Da Vinci, and Cloquet. If your interest is less in human anatomy than in learning how to draw the human figure, then I recommend Diana Constance's "Complete Life Drawing Course."

[MZP · Rating 3 out of 5]

Erre a könyvre nagyon sokan művész bibliaként tekintenek. Megtudom érteni, hogy miért de szerintem ez nem teljesen fedi a valóságot. Barcsay Jenő művészeti anatómiája nem feltétlen művészeknek van, hanem érdeklődőknek vagy tanároknak. Noha szerintem ebből nem lehet megfelelően tanulni, lévén a helyzetek, anatómiai pózok és ismereti rajzok egy sémára épülnek ebből egy ember nem fog tudni megtanulni rajzolni emberi testet. Az olvasó felismerni az anatómiát és annak szabályait tudja vagy tudhatja belőle, de ami igazán kell a emberi szerkezet rajzokhoz nem ebben a könyvben lesz tetten érhető. Ettől függetlenül egy értékes olvasmány ami tud segíteni, de megváltani nem fog sajna. Ez inkább már-már orvosi anatómia könyv sem mint művészi. Egy rajzosnak más kell/több és a több itt értendő speciálisabb igényekre.

[Bsdtogel]

I found this and I am very lucky Here is my product to publish my shop
Here is my product I really like this, and I'm lucky to be able to publish it.
very grateful so that I can make it easier for my product to be on the Google market Here is my product

https://jualalatdrumbandjogja.com/

Situs Toto

Situs Toto

Situs Toto

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jenő Barcsay, a Hungarian artist and anatomist, combines his knowledge of human anatomy with his expertise in art to create a comprehensive guide for artists. The book features detailed illustrations and diagrams of the human body, including its bones, muscles, and various anatomical structures. These illustrations are intended to help artists understand the underlying anatomy of the human figure, which is essential for creating realistic and accurate drawings and paintings.

[Gemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

My father is an artist and I too love to draw. I found this book incredibly insightful for both the more advanced painter or the one just starting out. Art is such a personal thing and when reading a book about how to improve the skill is going to be appreciated differently by each person. But for me I recommend this book and give it 5 stars.

[Elizabeth Karlovics · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book gave good fundamentals on anatomy. The only part missing was a connection from the anatomical drawings to learning how to draw the anatomy. This book teaches you name of muscles and function of them. It reads no different from a medical anatomy book.

[Cristina Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's an unconventional and thought-provoking exploration of narrative, identity, and interpretation. If you seek a reading experience that will push the boundaries of your literary expectations, this book is a journey worth embarking upon.

[Derek olsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reference book

[Phoi Cao Su Nguyen Go · Rating 5 out of 5]

i'm really like it

[Mariia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really “wow” for improving on sketching difficult parts of the body.

[wil · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the very best out there

[GOMEZDJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is a whirlpool of feelings.

[Romantasy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow better than netters anatomy.

[Ernestine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Knowledgeable book.

[Nicole R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very amazing book.

[Jennifer Aniston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read

[Noah jameson · Rating 5 out of 5]

must read

[Jeiniell Mierasol · Rating 5 out of 5]

🥰🥰

[Cagaxi · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is entertaining, very interesting, I recommend it, it catches you in the story

[Burcu]

https://www.hemenhizmetal.com/

[TeknikServis]

https://www.hemengeliriz.net

[Berkanstaj]

https://www.hemengeliriz.com.tr