Luster and Transparency of Backlit Foliage
How leaves behind other greenery show the strongest sheen and transparency
Continuing his study of foliage in light, Leonardo notes that when one mass of greenery stands behind another, the highlights and transparencies of the leaves appear stronger than those bordering the bright sky. When the sun lights leaves without coming between them and the eye, their luster and transparency become excessive. He advises the painter to set some low, dark branchings against illuminated greenery placed somewhat further off, and observes that in dark foliage seen from below the nearest part is the darkest. A faint red-chalk diagram of light rays passing an aperture heads the page.
On this page
Foliage lit from behind shows excessive luster
When one mass of greenery lies behind another, the leaves' highlights and transparencies appear of greater power than those bordering the brightness of the sky. If the sun lights the leaves without coming between them and the eye — and without the eye itself seeing the sun — their luster and transparency are excessive.
Set dark low boughs against distant lit greenery
It is very useful to make some low branchings that are dark and stand out against illuminated greenery set somewhat further off. In dark masses of greenery seen from below, the darkest part is the one nearest the eye, that is, the one farthest from the luminous air.
Red-chalk diagram of light rays through an aperture
A faint red-chalk sketch at the head of the page shows lines of light converging through a small rectangular opening containing a circle, with rays fanning out to one side. No transcription of any accompanying inscription is supplied for this figure.