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| Mona Lisa |
"The first goal of a painter is to be able to make a simple flat surface appear like a relief . . . this is done by the correct use of light and shade. The one who can do this deserves the most praise."
Italian Artist
1452 - 1519
The arts are about illusion. The painter paints an object, a person or landscape and wants us to believe that it represents the real thing. The writer tells a story and wants us to believe that what he is telling us is real. A musician plays sounds and wants us to believe the notes tell a story. If we are good at our craft, people will believe what we show and tell them. Leonardo reportedly took four years to paint the Mona Lisa. Perfecting illusion takes time.
