Leonardo’s eyes

SIR – I trust that those studying the eyesight of Leonardo (report, October 19) and other artists understand that, when painting a self-portrait, both our eyes swivel to look at each eye in turn. Thus we look at the left eye with both eyes in a different position from when the right eye is being recorded.

Some artists may “correct” the misalignment. Others may choose to record what we artists actually see when looking at each eye, even though others will not see us in this way.

Past President

Royal Society of Portrait Painters Mayfield, East Sussex

SIR – John Grundy’s letter (October 11) about the Fra Angelico frescoes in San Marco, Florence, is slightly confused.

The complex at San Marco comprises a church, a working friary and a museum. The first two are controlled by the Catholic Church and Dominican Order, while the museum is controlled by Italy’s culture and tourism ministry. Neither the church nor the museum is at risk.

The museum is the custodian of the fine collection of early Renaissance artworks, the library commissioned in the 1430s by Cosimo de’ Medici and designed by Michelozzo, and the first-floor monastic cell complex.

While I signed the petition to maintain the friary, I understand the financial pressures on the Dominicans. The friars can go to the nearby friary at Santa Maria Novella.

I have only a small measure of sympathy for Mr Grundy’s point about the museum’s opening hours. They are published in every guide book, and are not unusual in Florence. What is alarming is the possibility that any part of an early Renaissance architectural masterpiece could be turned into a hotel (report, October 8). Hopefully, even in these hard times for Italy, the government or the Florentine authorities will find a way to stop that. Colin Wilson

London W4