A Treatise on Painting
by Leonardo da Vinci, translated by John Francis Rigaud
Why Objects are less distinguished in proportion as they are farther removed from the Eye
4017011A Treatise on Painting — Why Objects are less distinguished in proportion as they are farther removed from the EyeJohn Francis RigaudLeonardo da Vinci

Chap. CCCXV.Why Objects are less distinguished in proportion as they are farther removed from the Eye.

This happens because the smallest parts are lost first; the second, in point of size, are also lost at a somewhat greater distance, and so on successively; the parts by degrees melting away, the perception of the object is diminished; and at last all the parts, and the whole, are entirely lost to the sight[1]. Colours also disappear on account of the density of the air interposed between the eye and the object.

  1. See chap. cxvi. cxxi. cccv.