44

The elements of perspective--Of the Point.

OF THE NATURAL POINT.

The smallest natural point is larger than all mathematical points, and this is proved because the natural point has continuity, and any thing that is continuous is infinitely divisible; but the mathematical point is indivisible because it has no size.

[Footnote: This definition was inserted by Leonardo on a MS. copy on parchment of the well-known “Trattato d’Architettura civile e militare” &c. by FRANCESCO DI GIORGIO; opposite a passage where the author says: ‘In prima he da sapere che punto è quella parie della quale he nulla—Linia he luncheza senza àpieza; &c.]

Taken from The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci edited by Jean Paul Richter, 1880.

43 * 45
I * III
Notebooks of Leonoardo da Vinci
II: Linear Perspective.
General remarks on perspective.
40,
41
The elements of perspective--Of the Point.
42,
43,
44,
45,
46
Of the line.
47,
48,
49
The nature of the outline.
50
Definition of Perspective.
51
Experimental proof of the existence of the pyramid of sight.
52,
53,
54
The relations of the distance points to the vanishing point.
55,
56
How to measure the pyramid of vision.
57
The Production of pyramid of Vision.
58,
59,
60,
61,
62,
63,
64
. . .