Artist Quote by Leonardo da Vinci
“The first object of the painter is to make a flat plane appear as a body in relief and projecting from that plane”
About This Quote
Source Treatise: Treatise on Painting, c. 1480
The painter aims to give a flat surface the illusion of depth and three‑dimensional form.
In simple terms: Artists make flat surfaces look three‑dimensional.
Key Takeaway
Use shading and perspective to create depth.
Themes
visual illusion
technique
dimensionality
Mood
inquisitive
analytical
Type
educational
technical
When to use this quote
- interior design
- architectural rendering
- digital art
- educational illustration
Key Concepts
perspective
chiaroscuro
relief
composition
Questions to Reflect On
- What techniques enhance perceived depth?
- How does lighting affect relief?
A Different Perspective
Achieving true depth on a flat plane is limited by viewer position.
![“I wouldn't mind gigging around the same era as Jesus, after he gives his speech about the meek and how blessed they are and all that type of bullshit, going up there and doing a flat 20 [minutes]. I reckon I'd have better stagecraft and presence than Jesus. Yea, I'm a better stand-up comedian than…” quote by Jim Jefferies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0fb/jim-jefferies-8092_blessed_i-wouldn-t-mind-gigging-around-the-same_24477.jpg)
![“Gonna rain like a cow pissin' on a flat rock" [drugstore clerk to detective Virgil Flowers] Dark of the Moon, p.7” quote by John Sandford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/887/john-sandford-5843_clerks_gonna-rain-like-a-cow-pissin-on-a-flat-r_12063.jpg)
