Previous Page Close Next Page

fol. 6r   [fol. 5v blank]		unpublished 'Chap 6th.  Of Truth of Light' (equivalent 3.343f)
Chapter III in Part II, Section II: 'Of Truth of Chiaroscuro' (3.303)
[Slip inserted: Mod. Painters / Vol. I. / --------- /  Pt. 2. Sec. 2. Chap. 3 / Page 171 - Text#23#.]
      
      
     the carving of a surface -  Here then is the place for all that confusion &
     mystery of execution by which ^ {only, as} I have shown the detail of Nature
     can <only> be represented with truth .
     On The Dark side no details or forms are seen . <but it is full of gradations
 5   of lig> it being commonly a mass of pale . transparent grey  .It is
     the first part of an object which disappears as it retires . losing itself
     in the general greys of distance.  The half light disappears next to
     it.  & both . blending with each other and melting into every variety
     of tone - form in extreme distance . a confused & unintelligible mass .
10   The shadow . next to the high light . is the most conspicuous part
     of an object . and the part which has most shape .  When it crosses
     high or half light . ^ {or where these cross it} it gives <the chief outlines> {10}
     						{those}by{11} which{12 &c.} the form
     of an object is ^ {chiefly} known. and{9} the{1} most{2} decided{&c.} & sharpest
     outlines
     in nature{8}.      *Go out on a sunny day . and stand with your back
15   to the sun - 10 feet from the thick trunk of a tree which has
     groups of boughs running across it & sent out from it .  You
     cannot trace the boughs - much less their twigs - you cannot even
     <see the shapes> follow the outline of the leaves.  But you can distinctly
     see the shadow of every bough & twig - and leaf - on the trunk behind.
20   and if you retire backwards. you will come to a point where {<the>} you can<not>

Previous Page Close Next Page

MW