A Treatise on Painting/Chapter 352
Chap. CCCLII.—Of the Judgment to be made of a Painter’s Work.
The first thing to be considered is, whether the figures have their proper relief, according to their respective situations, and the light they are in: that the shadows be not the same at the extremities of the groups, as in the middle; because being surrounded by shadows, or shaded only on one side, produce very different effects. The groups in the middle are surrounded by shadows from the other figures, which are between them and the light. Those which are at the extremities have the shadows only on one side, and receive the light on the other. The strongest and smartest touches of shadows are to be in the interstice between the figures of the principal group where the light cannot penetrate[1].
Secondly, that by the order and disposition of the figures they appear to be accommodated to the subject, and the true representation of the history in question.
Thirdly, that the figures appear alive to the occasion which brought them together, with expressions suited to their attitudes.
- ↑ See chap. cci.