There is no name more illustrious in the annals of art and of science than that of Leonardo da Vinci. Yet this pre-eminent genius still lacks a biography that shall make him known in all his infinite variety. The great majority of his drawings has never been reproduced. No critic has even attempted to catalogue and classify these masterpieces of taste and sentiment. It was to this part of my task that I first applied myself. Among other results, I now offer the public the first descriptive and critical catalogue of the incomparable collection of drawings at Windsor Castle, belonging to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

...

“Studying nature with passion, and all the independence proper to his character, he could not fail to combine precision with liberty, and truth with beauty. It is in this final emancipation, this perfect mastery of modelling,of illumination, and of expression, this breadth and freedom, that the master's raison d'etre and glory consist.Others may have struck out new paths also; but none travelled further or mounted higher than he.”

“Was Leonardo's pronounced vocation for scientific research a help or a hindrance to him as an artist? It is usual to quote him as an example of the possibilities of art and science allied. In him, it is affirmed, active genius received a new impetus from the analytic faculty; reason reinforced the imagination and the emotions. [...] A profound savant and an incomparable creator, he is the only man in the history of mankind who has at once penetrated into the most radiant beauty, who has united the science of Aristotle with the art of Phidias.”

PREFACE

LEONARDOIS CHILDHOOD AND HIS FIRST WORKS

THE COURT OF THE SFORZI

THE VIRGIN OF THE ROCKS AND THE MASTERPIECE OF SANTA MARIA DELLE GRAZIE

LEONARDO'S ACADEMY

NOTES

LIST OF ARTISTS

LEONARDO'S DEALINGS WITH THE ANTIQUE

THE POET, THE THINKER AND THE MAN OF SCIENCE

THE DOWNFALL OF LODOVICO IL MORO AND THE CONSEQUENCES

HIS RETURN TO MILAN

LEONARDO'S FINAL DAYS WORKING UNDER FRANCIS lAND HIS GREAT INFLUENCE

BIOGRAPHY

NOTES

LIST OF ARTISTS

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS