This one-volume selection from Leonardo's notebooks encompasses every aspect of his interests in painting, architecture, engineering, optics, anatomy and much more. It includes fables and epigrams and an outline of his life told through his writings. The new Introduction, and Preface by Leonardo expert Martin Kemp, explore the artist's genius and the contents and legacy of his manuscripts. The selection is helpfully organized into seven themed sections, and editorial comentary puts the material in context. New notes, a chronology of Leonardo's life, and full list of references to manuscripts.

New to this edition

Introduction by Thereza Wells, considering Leonardo's life and work and the contents of the Notebooks Preface by Martin Kemp, leading authority on Leonardo da Vinci and author of major books on the artist Revised and updated editorial commentary Explanatory Notes, Chronology of Leonardo Illustrations newly scanned, text reset, four new illustrations added

Most of what we know about Leonardo da Vinci, we know because of his notebooks. Some 6,000 sheets of notes and drawings survive, which represent perhaps one-fifth of what he actually produced. In them he recorded everything that interested him in the world around him, and his study of how things work. With an artist's eye and a scientist's curiosity he studied the movement of water and the formation of rocks, the nature of flight and optics, anatomy, architecture, sculpture, and painting. He jotted down fables and letters and developed his belief in the sublime unity of nature and man. Through his notebooks we can get an insight into Leonardo's thoughts, and his approach to work and life.

This selection offers a cross-section of his writings, organized around coherent themes. Fully updated, this new edition includes some 70 line drawings and a Preface by Martin Kemp, one of the world's leading authorities on Leonardo.