Vicky Yan

ARC181 TUT0112
John Harwood
April 13, 2023

Leon Battista Alberti, On Painting, trans. John R. Spencer (New Haven and London: Yale
University Press, 1966), orig. text only.

Leon Battista Alberti’s On Painting presents guidance for painters with respect to the
techniques and principles of painting. His treaty “Della Pittura” is considered the first modern
treatise on the theory of painting, inspiring artists such as Piero Della Francesca and Leonardo.
This text is structured into three books, combined to achieve a complete description ranging from
the basics of art theory to the virtues that professional painters should possess. In Book 1, Alberti
discusses the basics of painting from its first principles in nature. He begins by explaining the
concepts of a point, a line, a plane and an angle, then presents the four true colours: red, blue,
green and gray.1 Alberti suggests that through colour and linework, the painter should present
distance, position and reception of light within their pieces by understanding each plane as a
pyramid of colours and light. Through the pyramid technique, the painter could create a definite
depth, light, and central position within the limited canvas. Following the techniques in Book 2,
Alberti argues how painting is a worthwhile pursuit with the divine force of making the absent
present and the dead seem alive. He presents the three parts of painting: circumscription – using
a thin veil to help observe the true cuspid of the pyramid and constitutes limits of outlines and
planes, composition –the rule of painting to make objects in the painting present cohesively and
pleasing, and lastly, the reception of light for realism.2 Following the three procedures, the
painting may tell a story embodying the lively nature of the world. Finally, Book 3 delves into
the function of painting, along with the qualities and skills requires for a painter to achieve fame
and success. Alberti states that the painter’s job is to create the illusion of depth and lifelike
images on a flat given surface using only lines and colours. Beyond the techniques, painters
should acquire good habits such as humanity and affability, and be familiar with literature to
further develop skills and creativity. A successful painter should also avoid fastidiousness and
tediousness: complete each work thoroughly before moving on to the next one, listen to advice
but still hold their own judgment. Altogether, Alberti gives a lesson on how to become a
successful painter through the three books, setting a solid foundation for future painters to learn
and adapt to.

1
Leon Battista Alberti and Rocco Sinisgalli, Leon Battista Alberti: On Painting: A New Translation and Critical Edition
(Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2013), 14.
2
Leon Battista Alberti and Rocco Sinisgalli, Leon Battista Alberti: On Painting: A New Translation and Critical Edition
(Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2013), 20.