The science of derived and primitive shadow
Theorems on how derived shadow weakens with distance, with the definition of the angle
Three densely written columns on the round blue-grey sheet set out Leonardo's science of shadows, distinguishing the 'primitive' shadow on a body from the 'derived' shadow it casts. The text argues that the derived shadow loses darkness as it recedes from its primitive, that a single light divides the shadow's tip in two, and that the junction angle between the two shadows governs their darkness. Lettered ray-and-shadow diagrams down the columns illustrate each case, and the argument turns on a formal definition of the angle, including curvilinear angles.
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Derived shadow weakens with distance from its primitive
The leaf argues that the derived shadow loses power the further it lies from the primitive shadow, and grows more alike to it in darkness the nearer it is. A part at uniform distance from its primitive is therefore of uniform darkness, established from the fourth and fifth propositions.
A single light forks the shadow into two tips
Even when cast by a single light, the shadow behaves as if lit by two lights and is always split at its forked tip. The ray diagram labels the light and shadow bands d c b a - f e - h g - m n.
Gradation of bright and dark across the field
Along the labelled ray figure e d c r - o - n - p - b S the region a b o is fully lit where it sees all of d c, then darkens where the view of the darkness d e begins; the space o p a S brightens from S to a and darkens again toward o n. The field is said to be tinged with alternating bright and dark images.
Right-angled junction of derived and primitive shadow
When an elongated light meets the primitive shadow at a right angle, the derived shadow loses darkness along its whole length; a wider junction angle yields a paler shadow end, an acuter angle a darker one, because the angle governs how near the two shadows lie. Labels d - b - c o q a e mark the construction.
Definition of the angle: straight versus curvilinear
To ground the shadow theorems the text defines an angle as the meeting of two straight lines at one same point, set outside a single straightness. It answers the objection that the composing lines might be curved, distinguishing a true curvilinear angle (curves at various distances from their circle's centre) from equal-curvature lines that merely form a single line.
Shadows where derived and primitive do not meet
A separate case treats shadows in which the derived does not join the primitive, analysing the triangle h n p and the brightening of the space p S b as its sides recede from the angle p. The line o a is shown to be the brightest edge of the compound shadow, beyond which the field o a n darkens.
