Artist Quote by Leonardo da Vinci
“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, the big to the small, the old to the young, the strong to the weak; in this way you will vary as much as possible and close by.”
About This Quote
Source Treatise on Painting, 1500s
He advises placing opposing visual elements close together to heighten contrast and visual interest.
In simple terms: Opposites near each other create strong visual impact.
Key Takeaway
Use contrast deliberately in composition.
Themes
art
visual contrast
composition
design
Mood
reflective
instructive
Type
educational
artistic
When to use this quote
- painting
- graphic design
- interior décor
- fashion styling
Key Concepts
juxtaposition
balance
dynamic tension
Questions to Reflect On
- How does proximity of opposites affect perception?
- When is contrast most effective?
A Different Perspective
Overuse can cause visual chaos if not balanced.
![“My four-year-old daughter regularly requests reading Book One [the March] at bedtime; the methods of reading, delivering, and processing the book's content vary according to a kid's age and developmental level, but she's deeply affected by the story, asking follow-up questions for days.” quote by Nate Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8dc/nate-powell-42191_affected_my-four-year-old-daughter-regularly-requ_81516.jpg)
