A Treatise on Painting, by Leonardo da Vinci
1721
Senex and Taylor, London
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It must here be observed, which part of the same Colour under its different Circumstances, appears the most Beautiful; whether that which Receives the strongest Light, or that faintly illumined; that of a Shadow, or that of a half Shadow, or even of a Reflex upon a Shadow: To this End it will be necessary to know the particular Colour in Question, there being a great difference among Colours in this Respect; One appearing the most beautiful in one Degree of Strength, and another in another; For instance, the Perfection of Black is in the depth of its Shadow, White on the contrary is the most beautiful in its lightest part, Azure, Green, and Lake in half Shadows, Red and Yellow in their strongest Lights, and Gold in its Reflex's.