Manuscripts of the Institut de France

Manuscripts of the Institut de France – Giunti Editore – mss A - M – Institut de France (Paris, France)

Italy β€” Ca. 1492–1516

Personal notes, spontaneous ideas, and deep reflections from 24 years: Leonardo da Vinci's ingenious thoughts on geometry, art, natural philosophy and much more in twelve comprehensive notebooks

  1. This compendium was published with 12 notebooks conveying the life and work of Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519)

  2. Originating from the years 1492–1516, they present themselves in their entirety and in their original condition

  3. Personal notes, spontaneous ideas, and deep reflections unite here into a unique 2,000 page artifact

Manuscripts of the Institut de France

Facsimile Copy Available!
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(1,000€ - 3,000€)
  1. Description
  2. Detail Picture
  3. Single Page
  4. Facsimile Editions (3)
Description
Manuscripts of the Institut de France

As a part of the great National Edition of the Manuscripts and Drawings by Leonardo da Vinci, this twelve-volume compendium from the Institut de France was published: 12 of Leonardo’s small and large notebooks conveying the life and work of the famous universal genius. Personal notes, spontaneous ideas, and deep reflection on such diverse themes as geometry, art, natural philosophy, and much more unite here into a unique artifact!

Manuscripts of the Institut de France

Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) is considered to be one of the most significant universal geniuses of the Italian Renaissance. Active as a painter and sculptor, architect, theorist, and researcher in numerous fields, he created masterpieces in all of these fields. He recorded the results and testimonials of his restless genius in private notebooks, which would become a precious source for the through study of his person.

As Though from the Hand of the Master

Leonardo recorded his thoughts and ideas for posterity in numerous notebooks along with fleeting and spontaneous ideas, personal notes, but also a full-length treatise. A compendium of twelve of these books is stored today in the collection of the Institut de France in Paris. These notebooks originate from the years 1492–1516 and present themselves in their entirety and in their original condition as a unique artifact for the study of the life and works of the Renaissance’s excellent universal genius: Leonardo da Vinci. Under Napoleon, it came to Paris in 1795 from the Biblioteca Ambrosiana in Milan.

A Wide-Ranging Thematic Spectrum

The twelve volumes are contained in nearly 2,000 pages - each designated with the letters A-M - geometric treatises, explanations of mechanical problems, physical experiments, but also reflections on artwork and literature or on the β€œthings that move the soul”. This is all permeated with autobiographical comments and is often authored in an almost literary fashion. In the larger volumes, Leonardo recorded well thought-out, elaborate texts on numerous scientific experiments and theories. Masterful drawings – quick sketches and detailed observations – additionally make the small pocket notebooks wonderful testimonials to Leonardo as a gifted draftsman.

Codicology

Alternative Titles
I Manoscritti dell'Institut de France
Manuskripte des Instituts de France
Origin
Italy
Date
Ca. 1492–1516
Language
Artist / School
Previous Owners
Biblioteca Ambrosiana (Milan, Italy)

Available facsimile editions:
Manuscripts of the Institut de France – Giunti Editore – mss A - M – Institut de France (Paris, France)
Giunti Editore – Florence, 1987
Limited Edition: 998 copies

Manuscripts of the Institut de France – Giunti Editore – mss A - M – Institut de France (Paris, France)
Faksimile Verlag – Simbach am Inn, 2022
Limited Edition: 990 copies

Manuscripts of the Institut de France – Collezione Apocrifa Da Vinci – mss A - M – Institut de France (Paris, France)
Collezione Apocrifa Da Vinci – Ottaviano, 2015
Limited Edition: 499 copies
Detail Picture

Manuscripts of the Institut de France

Study of a Centrally Planned Building

Early Christian churches were not based on Roman temples, which were designed only for use by those initiated in the secret rituals – the pagan faithful waited outside. As such, late antique and early medieval churches were based on the basilica, a public space for meetings, markets, and law courts. The revival in classical architecture in Renaissance Italy led to a reintroduction of the centrally planned basilica style, such as this impressive sketch created by Leonardo between 1487 and 1490.

Manuscripts of the Institut de France – Giunti Editore – mss A - M – Institut de France (Paris, France)
Single Page

Manuscripts of the Institut de France

Design of a Flying Machine

Of the twelve Leonardo da Vinci notebooks found in the collections of the Institut de France, manuscript B is the oldest. Originating from 1487–89, it offers a sample of Leonardo’s interest in war machines, civilian and military architecture, submarines, or in this case, flying machines. Leonardo used his distinctive β€œmirror writing” to record the 16th century Italian text, either to make them difficult to read or simply because he was left handed.

This strange diagram depicts a man standing amidst a series of wheels, pulleys, pedals, and levers, which move the four flapping wings of the devise. Presumably, the idea was to mimic a dragonfly or some similar insect. How this individual was supposed to generate enough energy to power it remains unclear.

Manuscripts of the Institut de France – Giunti Editore – mss A - M – Institut de France (Paris, France)
Facsimile Editions

#1 I Manoscritti dell'Institut de France

Giunti Editore – Florence, 1987
Manuscripts of the Institut de France – Giunti Editore – mss A - M – Institut de France (Paris, France)
Manuscripts of the Institut de France – Giunti Editore – mss A - M – Institut de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles

Publisher: Giunti Editore – Florence, 1987
Limited Edition: 998 copies
Binding: Twelve leather-covered Solander boxes with gold tooling contains the facsimiles and commentary volumes
Commentary: 1 volume (ca. 2,000 pages) by Augusto Marinoni
Languages: English, Italian
1 volume: Exact reproduction of the original document (extent, color and size) 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.
Facsimile Copy Available!
Price Category: €€
(1,000€ - 3,000€)

#2 Die Pariser NotizbΓΌcher I

Faksimile Verlag – Simbach am Inn, 2022

Publisher: Faksimile Verlag – Simbach am Inn, 2022
Limited Edition: 990 copies
Commentary: 1 volume
Language: Italian
1 volume: This facsimile is not complete. This set, the first of four in total, contains manuscript A, manuscript suppl. A, manuscript E, and manuscript M of the total of twelve sketchbooks held at the Institut de France. Published in collaboration with the Institut de France and Eikon Editores.
Facsimile Copy Available!
Price Category: €€
(1,000€ - 3,000€)

#3 Manoscritto A

Collezione Apocrifa Da Vinci – Ottaviano, 2015
Manuscripts of the Institut de France – Collezione Apocrifa Da Vinci – mss A - M – Institut de France (Paris, France)
Manuscripts of the Institut de France – Collezione Apocrifa Da Vinci – mss A - M – Institut de France (Paris, France) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles

Publisher: Collezione Apocrifa Da Vinci – Ottaviano, 2015
Limited Edition: 499 copies
Commentary: 1 volume
Language: Italian
1 volume: This facsimile is not complete. 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.
Facsimile Copy Available!
Price Category: €€€
(3,000€ - 7,000€)
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