Essays by Michael Desmond and Carlo Pedretti
$32.95
[prices shown are in Australian dollars and include GST]
ISBN 978 186317 081 9 (186317 081 2)
paperback, 144 pages, 280 x 220 mm
Over 80 colour illustrations
Publisher: Powerhouse Publishing
Distributor: Bookwise International (Aust & NZ); Lund Humphries all other territtories
Published: 2000
This remarkable manuscript is almost 500 years old and was handwritten in Italian by da Vinci in his characteristic ‘mirror writing’ and supported by copious sketches. It covers a wide range of his observations and theories on astronomy, the properties of water, rocks and fossils, air and celestial light. The Codex Leicester provides a rare insight into the inquiring mind of the definitive Renaissance artist, scientist and thinker as well as an exceptional illustration of the link between art and science and the creativity of the scientific process. Each of the 72 delicate pages of the codex is faithfully reproduced in this publication and is accompanied by an insightful interpretation of the original Italian texts by the foremost da Vinci scholar, Professor Carlo Pedretti. The book also includes an introductory essay by Michael Desmond on da Vinci, his work and his place in the Renaissance.
The Codex Leicester is owned by Bill and Melinda Gates who lent it to the Powerhouse Museum for the exhibition which was part of the Sydney 2000 Olympics Arts Festival.
