Made with ink, charcoal, and silver pencil: Leonardo da Vinci's studies from Windsor Castle
Landscapes, plants and water studies
Italy — Last quarter of the 15th century – beginning of 16th century

Landscapes, plants and water studies
Italy — Last quarter of the 15th century – beginning of 16th century
Leonardo da Vinci's (1452–1519) studies of landscapes, plants, and water from the Royal Library at Windsor Castle
Also an overview of Leonardo’s multifaceted drawing techniques: ink, charcoal, and silverpoint are represented
They are divided between early studies, narrative landscapes, plant studies for *Leda and the Swan*, etc.
Landscapes, plants and water studies
- Paesaggi, piante e studi d’acqua
- Landschafts-, Pflanzen- und Gewässerstudien
Short Description
Leonardo da Vinci was not only a gifted draftsman, but also a passionate natural scientist. Both these aspects of his reputation as a universal genius are wonderfully expressed in the volume at hand of landscape, plant, and water studies from the Royal Library at Windsor Castle. Grandiose drawings by the master, which are concerned with all the aspects of nature, are presented on 70 boards.
Landscapes, Plants and Water Studies
Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) was fascinated by the current and eddy of water. Thus he occupied himself with this theme in detail. His natural-scientific-physical observations were recorded in masterful, fine drawings, which are both an expression of his inquisitiveness and his great draftsmanship. These famous water studies are only one aspect of the broad spectrum of themes, which are presented in the compendium at hand.
The Fascination of Nature
This wonderful eddy of the water, which Leonardo studied in detail and skillfully recorded, is accompanied by atmospheric landscapes that are both geographically and geologically exact, by studies of rocks, and drawings of various bodies of water. The drawings of plants, of fine grasses and lovely flowers, characteristic leaves, and rare fruits are an additional thematic area. The natural scientist recorded the botany of his home in impressive drawings.
A Passionate Observer and Draftsman
The best of Leonardo da Vinci’s drawn work is on display in the selection of drawings of natural phenomenon from the Queen’s Collection in the Royal Library at Windsor Castle. Two sides of the universal genius were combined here: his masterful draftsmanship and his passion as a natural scientist, his passion for natural phenomena.
A Diverse Range of Themes
The precious pages give an overview of Leonardo’s multifaceted drawing techniques, ink, charcoal, and silverpoint are represented here. They are chronologically ordered and divided into 10 categories: the early studies, narrative landscapes, charcoal sketches of mountains, plant studies for Leda and the Swan, studies from the so-called red series (named after the red paper on which the sanguine drawings were recorded), water studies, the series about the Adda River, symbolic landscapes and bodies of water.
Codicology
- Alternative Titles
- Paesaggi, piante e studi d’acqua
Landschafts-, Pflanzen- und Gewässerstudien - Type
- Manuscript on paper
- Origin
- Italy
- Date
- Last quarter of the 15th century – beginning of 16th century
- Style
- Language
- Illustrations
- 70 drawings
- Content
- Leonardo da Vinci’s nature studies in the royal collection at Windsor Castle
- Artist / School
- Leonardo da Vinci
2 available facsimile edition(s) of „Landscapes, plants and water studies“
Paesaggi, piante e studi d’acqua
- Publisher
- Giunti Editore – Florence, 1982–1987
- Limited Edition
- 350 copies
- Binding
- Half leather-bound box (size 330 x 480 mm) with gold tooling
- Commentary
-
1 volume (240 pages) by Kenneth Clark and Carlo Pedretti
Languages: English, Italian - More Information
- Reproduction of the entire original document as detailed as possible (scope, format, colors). The binding may not correspond to the original or current document binding.
The drawings and miscellaneous papers of Leonardo da Vinci in the collection of Her Majesty the Queen at Windsor Castle / Landscapes, plants and water studies.
- Limited Edition
- 350 copies
- Binding
- Half leather-bound box (size 330 x 480 mm) with gold tooling
- Commentary
-
1 volume (240 pages) by Kenneth Clark and Carlo Pedretti
Languages: English, Italian - More Information
- Reproduction of the entire original document as detailed as possible (scope, format, colors). The binding may not correspond to the original or current document binding.
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