Able Quote by Leonardo da Vinci
“I think it is no small attraction in a painter to be able to give a pleasing air to his figures, and whoever is not naturally possessed of this grace may acquire it by study, as opportunity offers in the following manner: be on the watch to take good parts of many beautiful faces of which the beautiful parts are established by general repute rather than by your own judgement, for you may deceive yourself by selecting faces that resemble your own, since it often seems that such similarities please us; ... so therefore choose the beautiful ones as I tell you and fix them in your mind.”
About This Quote
A painter must learn to capture universally admired facial features, not just personal preferences, through observation and study to
In simple terms: Study widely admired faces to improve artistic grace.
Key Takeaway
Observe and internalize widely praised features.
Themes
art
observation
beauty
skill
learning
Mood
reflective
inspired
Type
instructional
philosophical
When to use this quote
- portrait painting
- figure drawing
- art education
- self‑training
Key Concepts
aesthetic judgment
visual perception
skill acquisition
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you ensure your study isn’t limited by personal taste?
- What sources can broaden your sense of beauty?
A Different Perspective
Personal bias can limit perception of true beauty.
