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lay figure

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists | 2003 | | Copyright

lay figure. A doll-like model of the human figure, jointed so that it can be given all kinds of poses. It may be anything from a few inches in height to life-size. Articulated dolls and marionettes were known in antiquity, but the first description of an artist's lay figure is given by Filarete in his Treatise on Architecture (1461–4). Although Vasari mentions a life-size wooden model made by Fra Bartolommeo, early lay figures were mostly small and were called manikins. Some 18th-century portrait painters used life-size figures, completely jointed and covered with fabric. They could arrange the costumes on it and work on that part of the picture in the absence of the sitter.

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IAN CHILVERS. "lay figure." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

IAN CHILVERS. "lay figure." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O3-layfigure.html

IAN CHILVERS. "lay figure." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists. 2003. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O3-layfigure.html

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lay figure

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology | 1996 | | Copyright

lay figure jointed wooden model of the human figure used by artists. XVIII. f. lay as in synon. †layman (XVII) — Du. leeman for *ledenman, f. led (now lid) limb, joint (cf. LIMB1).

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T. F. HOAD. "lay figure." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "lay figure." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-layfigure.html

T. F. HOAD. "lay figure." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-layfigure.html

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