This volume gathers the extensive surviving manuscripts of Leonardo da Vinci, meticulously organized from thousands of scattered pages into a coherent system of thought. The author addresses a vast array of topics, beginning with the foundations of linear perspective and the complex geometry of vision. Leonardo posits that the human eye perceives reality through a pyramid of light rays, illustrating this mechanism with the camera obscura. He then details the six books of light and shade, analyzing primary and derived shadows, reflections, and the subtleties of illumination.
The text transitions into the theory of color, the perspective of disappearance, and aerial perspective, explaining how the atmosphere alters the hues of distant objects. Later sections focus on botany for painters, landscape elements, and the proportions and movements of the human figure. Throughout these notes, the author emphasizes empirical observation as the ultimate mistress of all sciences and arts. He critiques those who rely solely on abstract theory without practical experience, offering precise physical explanations for natural phenomena. The work concludes with practical precepts for artists, studio management, and detailed studies for masterpieces like the Last Supper, capturing the monumental breadth of a singular intellect.
