The Notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci Complete


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2
99.  
OF THE MODE OF TREATING REMOTE OBJECTS IN PAINTING.  
It is easy to perceive that the atmosphere which lies closest to the  
level ground is denser than the rest, and that where it is higher  
up, it is rarer and more transparent. The lower portions of large  
and lofty objects which are at a distance are not much seen, because  
you see them along a line which passes through a denser and thicker  
section of the atmosphere. The summits of such heights are seen  
along a line which, though it starts from your eye in a dense  
atmosphere, still, as it ends at the top of those lofty objects,  
ceases in a much rarer atmosphere than exists at their base; for  
this reason the farther this line extends from your eye, from point  
to point the atmosphere becomes more and more rare. Hence, O  
Painter! when you represent mountains, see that from hill to hill  
the bases are paler than the summits, and in proportion as they  
recede beyond each other make the bases paler than the summits;  
while, the higher they are the more you must show of their true form  
and colour.  
On the colour of the atmosphere (300-307).  
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