The quote emphasizes the importance of the figures' actions in a painting, suggesting that each movement conveys the emotional state of the characters. In this way, a painting becomes a visual narrative that tells a story through the expression and gestures of its subjects.

Walter Isaacson, in his biography of Leonardo da Vinci, illustrates how the great artist believed that understanding mood and intention was crucial for capturing the essence of human experience in art. This perspective highlights the relationship between visual expression and emotional depth, which can profoundly affect how viewers interpret a work of art.