Page:A Treatise on Painting.djvu/297

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CONTRASTE, HARMONY, AND REFLEXES.
149

which says, the surface of any opake body participates of the colour of the object which reflects the light, in proportion as it is near to or remote from it, and also in proportion to the size of it; because, being large, it prevents the variety of colours in smaller objects round it, from interfering with, and discomposing the principal colour, which is nearer. Nevertheless it does not prevent its participating more of the colour of a small object near it, than of a large one more remote. See the sixth proposition[1] of perspective, which says, that large objects may be situated at such a distance as to appear less than small ones that are near.

Chap. CCLXXXI.Of the Nature of Comparison.

Black draperies will make the flesh of the human figure appear whiter than in reality it is[2]; and white draperies, on the contrary, will make it appear darker. Yellow will render it higher coloured, while red will make it pale.

Chap. CCLXXXII.Where the Reflexes are seen.

Of all reflexions of the same shape, size, and strength, that will be more or less strong, which terminates on a ground more or less dark.

  1. No where in this work.
  2. This is evident in many of Vandyke’s portraits, particularly of ladies, many of whom are dressed in black velvet; and this remark will in some measure account for the delicate fairness which he frequently gives to the female complexion.
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