The Notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci Complete


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Shadow partakes of the nature of universal matter. All such matters  
are more powerful in their beginning and grow weaker towards the  
end, I say at the beginning, whatever their form or condition may be  
and whether visible or invisible. And it is not from small  
beginnings that they grow to a great size in time; as it might be a  
great oak which has a feeble beginning from a small acorn. Yet I may  
say that the oak is most powerful at its beginning, that is where it  
springs from the earth, which is where it is largest (To return:)  
Darkness, then, is the strongest degree of shadow and light is its  
least. Therefore, O Painter, make your shadow darkest close to the  
object that casts it, and make the end of it fading into light,  
seeming to have no end.  
Of the various kinds of shadows. (123-125).  
1
23.  
Darkness is absence of light. Shadow is diminution of light.  
Primitive shadow is that which is inseparable from a body not in the  
light. Derived shadow is that which is disengaged from a body in  
shadow and pervades the air. A cast transparent shadow is that which  
is surrounded by an illuminated surface. A simple shadow is one  
which receives no light from the luminous body which causes it. A  
simple shadow begins within the line which starts from the edge of  
the luminous body a b.  
110  


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108 109 110 111 112

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1 306 613 919 1225