A Treatise on Painting
by Leonardo da Vinci, translated by John Francis Rigaud
Of proper Back-grounds for Figures
4010409A Treatise on Painting — Of proper Back-grounds for FiguresJohn Francis RigaudLeonardo da Vinci

Chap. CCIX.Of proper Back-grounds for Figures.

As we find by experience, that all bodies are surrounded by lights and shadows, I would have the painter to accommodate that part which is enlightened, so as to terminate upon something dark; and to manage the dark parts so that they may terminate on a light ground. This will be of great assistance in detaching and bringing out his figures[1].