Sfumato
Sfumato is a term coined by Leonardo da Vinci to refer to a painting
technique which overlays translucent layers of color to create perceptions
of depth, volume and form. In particular, it refers to the blending
of colors or tones, so subtly that there is no perceptible transition.
In Italian sfumato means "blended" with connotations
of "smoky" and is derived from the Italian word fumo meaning
'smoke'. Leonardo described sfumato as 'without lines or borders,
in the manner of smoke'.
One of the best examples of a sfumato painting is the Mona Lisa
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