I say that in narrative paintings one should mingle direct contraries close by, because they produce strong contrasts with one another, and all the more so when they are very close together; that is, the ugly next to the beautiful,… — Leonardo da Vinci Copy Share Image
A painter was asked why, since he made such beautiful figures, which were but dead things, his children were so ugly; to which the painter replied that he made his pictures by day, and his children by night. — Leonardo da Vinci Copy Share Image
The evil which does me no harm is like the good which in no wise avails me. — Leonardo da Vinci Copy Share Image
A painter should begin every canvas with a wash of black, because all things in nature are dark except where exposed by the light. — Leonardo da Vinci Copy Share Image
An arch consists of two weaknesses which, leaning one against the other, make a strength. — Leonardo da Vinci Copy Share Image
But to me all sciences seem vain and full of error that are not born of experience, mother of all certainty, and do not… — Leonardo da Vinci Copy Share Image
It is ordained that to the ambitious, who derive no satisfaction from the gifts of life and the beauty of the world, life shall… — Leonardo da Vinci Copy Share Image
Be a mirror, absorb everything around you and still remain the same — Leonardo da Vinci Copy Share Image
Human subtlety will never devise an invention more beautiful, more simple or more direct than does nature because in her inventions nothing is lacking,… — Leonardo da Vinci Copy Share Image
People reveal themselves completely only when they are thrown out of the customary conditions of their life. — Leonardo da Vinci Copy Share Image
