563

On the lighting of the background.

OF THE BACKGROUND THAT THE PAINTER SHOULD ADOPT IN HIS WORKS.

Since experience shows us that all bodies are surrounded by light and shade it is necessary that you, O Painter, should so arrange that the side which is in light shall terminate against a dark body and likewise that the shadow side shall terminate against a light body. And by [following] this rule you will add greatly to the relief of your figures.

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

Notebooks of Leonoardo da Vinci

VIII: Botany for Painters and Elements of Landscape Painting.

. . .

543,

544,

545,

546,

Gradations of light and shade.

On the choice of light for a picture.

549,

550,

551,

552,

553,

554,

The distribution of light and shade.

556,

557,

558,

The juxtaposition of light and shade.

560,

On the lighting of the background.

562,

563,

564,

On the lighting of white objects.

The methods of aerial.

567,

568,

569,

Of sketching figures and portraits.

571,

The position of the head.

Of the light on the face.

574,

575,

General suggestions for historical pictures.

577,

578,

579,

580,

How to represent the differences of age and sex.

582,

. . .