Leonardo da Vinci on painting

Author: (Italian) Leonardo da Vinci
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2005-12-01
Features: Leonardo da Vinci regarded painting as a science, and his treatise on painting became known as the "Science of Painting." He initially engaged with this science as an artist. The renowned treatises on painting by Leonardo da Vinci that are widely circulated today were not written by him himself but were compiled by his disciple and successor, F. Melzi, with meticulous care from various of Leonardo's manuscripts. The book was completed between 1540 and 1550, but its writing style still does not resemble a complete manuscript. Many original texts have been omitted, and not all parts of Leonardo's overall plan have been fully included.
In addition to providing practical and specific guidance on painting and drawing, this treatise aims to discuss every aspect related to the artist's perception and experience, and then treats perception and experience as established standards. The definition of the "Science of Painting," the foundational theory of teaching painting (i.e., geometry, perspective, and optics), and the systematic study of light and shadow, color, and atmospheric perspective, along with the theory of forms and functions in organic and inorganic nature, form the three main themes of this work. "Art is science" is the central idea of this treatise.
With unparalleled broad talents, he enjoyed an unmatched reputation throughout his life. His extraordinary creativity permeated every field of visual expression. He was a rare individual of holistic development. He was morally upright and gentle in demeanor; he was a painter, sculptor, and architect, as well as a physicist, geographer, botanist, and physician. He was also an artist, musician, dramatist, and philosopher. Physically strong and immensely powerful, he could easily break a horseshoe with one hand. He was a " Renaissance man"—unparalleled in human history—Leonardo da Vinci! Those who study literature must know Shakespeare, those who study music must know Beethoven, those who study philosophy must know Kant, and those who study painting must know Leonardo da Vinci. This is his status in the history of Western painting. This book is suitable for scholars and enthusiasts of Chinese and Western art history, Western painting history, and comparative studies of Chinese and Western cultures.