Leonardo da Vinci - Drawings from the Galleria degli Uffizi in Florence

Leonardo da Vinci - Drawings from the Galleria degli Uffizi in Florence

The National Edition of the manuscripts and drawings of Leonardo da Vinci, published by the Florentine publishing house Giunti Editore beginning in 1964, is the first and only complete reproduction of the Italian universal genius’ manuscripts and drawings. This unbelievable bundle offers the unique opportunity to discover the graphic and theoretical work of the universal genius Leonardo da Vinci. The collection of Leonardo drawings in the Gabinetto Disegni e Stampe della Galleria degli Uffizi in Florence forms the basis for one of the splendid volumes.

Leonardo’s Graphic Work in the Context of his Successors

The volume at hand of the drawings of Leonardo da Vinci and his circle from the Galleria degli Uffizi in Florence conveys a wonderful overview of this great epoch of Italian art – and naturally represents a precious overview of Leonardo’s graphic work. Eleven completed drawings from his hand make up a true gem of art history and were appended by 39 drawings by his students and successors. The result is a bundle of 50 drawings, with whose help one can not only comprehend the mastery of Leonardo, but also his formative influence on successive generations through direct comparison.

A Multitude of Techniques and Motifs

As an outstanding treasure, the volume contains inter alia Leonardo’s earliest known drawing: a landscape from 1473, found alongside gorgeous portraits, the detailed study of the posture of a hand and other motifs from the broad spectrum of his genius. Techniques are also widely diversified, pencil-, silverpoint-, and pen-and-ink-drawings are found alongside red-chalk sketches. Therefore, it is apparent that even a monochrome medium like a one-colored drawing is sufficient for Leonardo to make every recess and model come into its own. For Leonardo, the drawing was the most direct and unmitigated expression of artistic genius!