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LDE ENGL1721


A Treatise on Painting, by Leonardo da Vinci
1721
Senex and Taylor, London


Chapter

LDE T0498   CID333  An universal Light more advantageous to a Figure than a particular one

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A Figure exposed to an universal Light, will appear more graceful, than if illumined by a particular one; the reason is, that a large and strong Light, incompasses, and (as it were) embraces the Relievo's of Bodies; so that the Figures illumined thereby, will appear with force and freedom, and will even preserve themselves at a considerable distance: Whereas those supposed in a Chamber, or illumined by any other little, and narrow Light, will receive very large as well as very deep Shadows: And Paintings that are shadowed in this manner, never make any other appearance at a distance, than that of a dim, tinged, and flat Surface.