A Treatise on Painting/Chapter 155

←

A Treatise on Painting
by Leonardo da Vinci, translated by John Francis Rigaud

Of a single Figure separate from an historical Group

→

4007154A Treatise on Painting — Of a single Figure separate from an historical GroupJohn Francis RigaudLeonardo da Vinci

Chap. CLV.—Of a single Figure separate from an historical Group.

The same motion of members should not be repeated in a figure which you mean to be alone; for instance, if the figure be represented running, it must not throw both hands forward; but one forward and the other backward, or else it cannot run. If the right foot come forward, the right arm must go backward and the left forward, because, without such disposition and contraste of parts, it is impossible to run well. If another figure be supposed to follow this, one of its legs should be brought somewhat forward, and the other be perpendicular under the head; the arm on the same side should pass forward. But of this we shall treat more fully in the book on motion^[1].

↑ See the Life of the Author prefixed, and chap. xx. and ci. of the present work.

Layout 2

[1] See the Life of the Author prefixed, and chap. xx. and ci. of the present work.

[1]