Painting a Mental Science of Shadow, Light, and Form
Like mathematics it proceeds from true principles; its science defines shadowy body, light, colour, and motion
Concluding the defence of painting as a science, Leonardo argues that from true known principles it proceeds in true sequences to the end, as in the first mathematics, number and measure, called arithmetic and geometry, which treat of discontinuous and continuous quantity. There no one argues that two threes make other than six, nor that a triangle's angles are less than two right angles, disputes being destroyed in eternal silence. Writing itself, he adds, is a species of drawing and a member of painting, and painting is first in the mind before manual operation completes it. Its scientific principles set down what is a shadowy body, primitive and derivative shadow, light, colour, figure, position, motion, and rest, comprehended by the mind alone.
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Mathematics proceeds from true principles beyond dispute
The true sciences proceed from first known principles in true sequences to the end, as in number and measure, arithmetic and geometry, which treat of discontinuous and continuous quantity. No one argues that two threes make more or less than six, nor that a triangle has its angles less than two right angles; every argument is destroyed in eternal silence.
The scientific principles of painting: shadow, light, colour, form
Painting is first in the mind of its speculator and cannot reach perfection without manual operation. Its true principles first set down what is a shadowy body, primitive and derivative shadow, and light, that is darkness, light, colour, body, figure, position, remoteness, proximity, motion, and rest, all comprehended by the mind alone.
Writing a species of drawing, a member of painting
If the true sciences are called mechanical because completed only by hand, Leonardo answers the same of all arts passing through the writer's hands, which is a species of drawing, a member of painting. Astrology and the rest likewise pass through manual operations but are first mental, as is painting.