[Footnote:  In the original MS. a much defaced sketch is to be seen by the side of the second part of this chapter; its faded condition has rendered reproduction impossible.  In M. RAVAISSON’S facsimile the outlines of the head have probably been touched up.  This passage however is fitly illustrated by the drawings on Pl.  XXI.]

597.

OF PAINTING.

Of the nature of movements in man.  Do not repeat the same gestures in the limbs of men unless you are compelled by the necessity of their action, as is shown in a b.

[Footnote:  See Pl.  V, where part of the text is also reproduced.  The effaced figure to the extreme left has evidently been cancelled by Leonardo himself as unsatisfactory.]

598.

The motions of men must be such as suggest their dignity or their baseness.

599.

OF PAINTING.

Make your work carry out your purpose and meaning.  That is when you draw a figure consider well who it is and what you wish it to be doing.

OF PAINTING.

With regard to any action which you give in a picture to an old man or to a young one, you must make it more energetic in the young man in proportion as he is stronger than the old one; and in the same way with a young man and an infant.

600.

OF SETTING ON THE LIMBS.

The limbs which are used for labour must be muscular and those which are not much used you must make without muscles and softly rounded.

OF THE ACTION OF THE FIGURES.

Represent your figures in such action as may be fitted to express what purpose is in the mind of each; otherwise your art will not be admirable.

V.

SUGGESTIONS FOR COMPOSITIONS.

Of painting battle pieces (601-603).

601.

OF THE WAY OF REPRESENTING A BATTLE.

First you must represent the smoke of artillery mingling in the air with the dust and tossed up by the movement of horses and the combatants.  And this mixture you must express thus:  The dust, being a thing of earth, has weight; and although from its fineness it is easily tossed up and mingles with the air, it nevertheless readily falls again.  It is the finest part that rises highest; hence that part will be least seen and will look almost of the same colour as the air.  The higher the smoke mixed with the dust-laden air rises towards a certain level, the more it will look like a dark cloud; and it will be seen that at the top, where the smoke is more separate from the dust, the smoke will assume a bluish tinge and the dust will tend to its colour.  This mixture of air, smoke and dust will look much lighter on the side whence the light comes than on the opposite side.  The more the combatants are in this turmoil the less will they be seen, and the less contrast will there be in their lights and shadows.  Their faces and figures and their appearance, and the musketeers as well as those near them you must make of a glowing red.  And this glow will diminish in proportion as it is remote from its cause.