Personal notes, spontaneous ideas, and deep reflections: 12 of Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks in original condition
Manuscripts of the Institut de France
Italy — 1492–1516

Manuscripts of the Institut de France
Italy — 1492–1516
This compendium was published with 12 notebooks conveying the life and work of Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519)
Originating from the years 1492–1516, they present themselves in their entirety and in their original condition
Personal notes, spontaneous ideas, and deep reflections unite here into a unique 2,000 page artifact

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
- I Manoscritti dell'Institut de France
- Manuskripte des Institut de France
Short Description
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 “things 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 Institut de France - Type
- Manuscript on paper
- Origin
- Italy
- Date
- 1492–1516
- Epochs
- Style
- Genre
- Language
- Artist / School
- Leonardo da Vinci
- Previous Owners
- Biblioteca Ambrosiana (Milan, Italy)

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 “mirror 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.
1 available facsimile edition(s) of „Manuscripts of the Institut de France“
I Manoscritti dell'Institut de France
- Publisher
- Giunti Editore – Florence, 1987
- Limited Edition
- 998 copies
- Binding
- Twelve leather-covered boxes with gold tooling.
- Commentary
-
1 volume (ca. 2,000 pages) by Augusto Marinoni
Languages: English, Italian - More Information
- Twelve leather-covered boxes with gold tooling. Each box (size 250 x 360 mm) contains the facsimile, and a volume printed on handmade paper and bound in Fabriano paper
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