Leonardo Da Vinci The Complete Paintings

This book examines the life and art of Leonardo da Vinci.

Unmatched in his ingenuity, technical prowess, and curiosity, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) epitomizes the humanistic ideal of the Renaissance man: a peerless master of painting, sculpture, cartography, anatomy, architecture--and more. Simultaneously captivating art historians, collectors, and the millions who flock yearly to admire his works, Leonardo's appeal is as diffuse as were his preoccupations. His images permeate nearly every facet of Western culture--The Vitruvian Man is engraved into millions of Euro coins, The Last Supper is considered the single most reproduced religious painting in history, and the Mona Lisa has entranced countless artists and observers for centuries. On the occasion of the 500th anniversary of his death, this updated edition of our XL title is an unrivaled survey of Leonardo's life and work, including a catalogue raisonné encompassing both his surviving and lost paintings. Through stunning full-bleed details, we experience every measured brushstroke, each a testament to Leonardo's masterful ability. An expansive catalog of nearly 700 of Leonardo's drawings further illuminates the breadth of his pursuits. From diagrams of intricately engineered machines to portraits of plump infants, they stand reflective of his boundless and visionary technical imagination, balanced with a subtle and perceptive hand, capable of rendering quotidian moments with moving emotional timbre. Also included is a new foreword by Frank Zöllner, expanded exclusively for this special edition, which dissects the latest scientific developments on Leonardo's work and the story behind the haunting Salvator Mundi, which recently fetched a record-breaking 450 million at auction.

Shedding new light on the renowned Renaissance artist, this book examines all of da Vinci's known paintings using recent advances in technology and the latest art historical research. While Leonardo da Vinci is one of history's most studied and renowned artists, there are many myths surrounding his work. Beginning with his birth and early maturity in the workshops of the Florentine masters, Alessandro Vezzosi delves into the provenance of disputed works such as Madonna Litta and La Bella Principessa. He demonstrates how recent advances in technology have aided researchers in studying and restoring da Vinci's art--including uncovering forgeries--and he explores the artist's scientific achievements in the fields of optics and paint composition. An exquisitely produced plate section looks at the most significant aspects of da Vinci's work, and offers numerous comparative examples in the form of archival documents, preparatory studies, and contemporary paintings. A fitting tribute to da Vinci, this wide ranging book applies 21st-century knowledge to help answer centuries-old questions about the Renaissance genius.

Life and work of the renowned painter, scientist, and philosopher of the Renaissance period.

From anatomical studies to architectural plans, complex engineering designs to pudgy infant portraits: discover the delicate finesse of one of the most talented minds, and hands, in history. This Bibliotheca Universalis edition presents more than 600 of Leonardo da Vinci's masterful drawings.

More iconic images accrue to the name of Leonardo da Vinci than to any other artist. The "Mona Lisa" stands as a sort of primary visual signifier for "Art" itself, just as his drawing of Vitruvian Man stands as a primary visual signifier for "Man." This new da Vinci monograph presents this ultimate Renaissance man's complete corpus, from the most renowned oil paintings such as "Lady with an Ermine," "Virgin of the Rocks" and "Mona Lisa" to frescoes such as "The Last Supper" in Santa Maria delle Grazie Church and the ceiling frescoes of the Sala delle Asse in Castello Sforzesco in Milan. All works are reproduced in full-color plates, many of them augmented with detail plates that reveal the extraordinary care lavished by the artist upon his canvases. Also included are da Vinci's preparatory drawings and cartoons; works no longer extant, such as "The Battle of Anghiari," are enumerated as part of the da Vinci corpus. Affordably priced and superbly produced, this volume offers a basic da Vinci monograph for all. Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) was born in Florence and studied with the renowned painter Verrocchio, qualifying as a "master" at the age of 20 in 1472. After his apprenticeship he worked for Ludovico il Moro, later moving to Rome, Bologna and Venice before settling in France, where his final three years were spent in the service of François I.