Index to the Eighth and Last Part: On the Horizon
Table of contents listing nine chapters on the horizon, keyed to pages 283-286
This leaf is the table of contents of the eighth and final part of Leonardo's Treatise on Painting, headed 'Tavola de la ottava et ultima parte del libro' and devoted to the horizon ('De l'orizzonte'). It lists nine chapters (936-944), including the true position of the horizon, whether an eye at the sea's surface sees the horizon lower than itself, the horizon mirrored in running water and in waves, and why the thick air near the horizon turns red, with references to pages 283-286. The neat scribal hand belongs to Francesco Melzi's posthumous compilation, and the page carries no drawings.
On this page
The eighth and last part of the Treatise, on the horizon
This leaf indexes the final part of the book, 'Of the horizon.' It opens with chapters on the true position of the horizon [936] and several further entries simply headed 'of the horizon' [937-940], keyed to pages 283-285. The horizon is the anchor of the painter's perspective.
The horizon mirrored in water and the reddening air
Later entries treat the horizon mirrored in running water [942] and in the waves [943], and why the thick air near the horizon becomes red [944]. These chapters analyse reflection and atmospheric colour as optical effects the painter must reproduce.
The sea horizon and the observer's eye
Chapter [941] asks whether an eye that sees the sea horizon, standing with its feet at the very surface of the sea, sees that horizon lower than itself. The question ties the painter's viewpoint to the far edge of a marine landscape.