In this case, (unless, indeed, my father had been resolved to make a fool of himself by holding the wig stiff in his left hand----or by making some nonsensical angle or other at his elbow-joint, or arm-pit)--his whole attitude had been easy--natural--unforced: _Reynolds_ himself, as great and gracefully as he paints, might have painted him as he sat.

In this case, (unless my father had been resolved to make a fool of himself by bending his elbow at some nonsensical angle) - his whole attitude would have been easy - natural - unforced: Reynolds himself might have painted him as he sat.
