Da Vinci Notes #49 - Don't Surround Yourself with Boundary

 

The nature of the outline.

 

The boundaries of bodies are the least of all things. The

proposition is proved to be true, because the boundary of a thing is

a surface, which is not part of the body contained within that

surface; nor is it part of the air surrounding that body, but is the

medium interposted between the air and the body, as is proved in its

place.

 

But the lateral boundaries of these bodies is the line forming

the boundary of the surface, which line is of invisible thickness.

Wherefore O painter! do not surround your bodies with lines,

and above all when representing objects smaller than nature;

for not only will their external outlines become indistinct, but