A Treatise on Painting
by Leonardo da Vinci, translated by John Francis Rigaud
Of the Relief of Figures remote from the Eye
4010129A Treatise on Painting — Of the Relief of Figures remote from the EyeJohn Francis RigaudLeonardo da Vinci

Chap. CCIV.Of the Relief of Figures remote from the Eye.

Any opake body appears less relieved in proportion as it is farther distant from the eye; because the air, interposed between the eye and such body, being lighter than the shadow of it, it tarnishes and weakens that shadow, lessens its power, and consequently lessens also its relief.