Of several bodies, all equally large and equally distant, that which is most brightly illuminated will appear to the eye nearest and largest.

Experiment is the sole interpreter of the artifices of Nature.

One painter ought never to imitate the manner of any other; because in that case he cannot be called the child of nature, but the grandchild. It is always best to have recourse to nature, which is replete with such abundance of objects, than to the productions of other masters, who learnt everything from her.

Experience, the interpreter between creative nature and the human race, teaches the action of nature among mortals: how under the constraint of necessity she cannot act otherwise than as reason, who steers her helm, teaches her to act.

Perspective is the rein and rudder of painting.

We may call painting the grandchild of nature.

He who does not understand the supreme certainty of mathematics is wallowing in confusion.