Treatise on Architecture by Francesco di Giorgio Martini

Treatise on Architecture by Francesco di Giorgio Martini

Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519), the famous universal genius of the Italian Renaissance, frequently concerned himself with architecture in his impressive oeuvre. The foundations of this can probably be found in the influential architectural treatise by Francesco di Giorgio Martini, which presumably had a deep impact on him as a young man. This personal specimen of Leonardo’s is stored in the Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana in Florence, the only book that is preserved from his private collection! The treatise features numerous pages with marginal notes and sketches from Leonardo’s hand, which probably originated in the year 1506.

A Forgotten Universal Genius?

Francesco di Giorgio Martini (1439–1501) was a significant personality of the Italian Renaissance. He was active both as a painter and sculptor as well as an architect and architectural theorist, and in doing so stands in the tradition of the great universal artists. Even if his practical artistic creations no longer survive today, his significance should not be underestimated. Francesco di Giorgio Martini was the author of two groundbreaking architectural treatises. Additionally, he made a model for the construction of the Cathedral of Milan’s dome.

In the Service of the Duke of Urbino

The famous treatise on architecture is considered to be one of the earliest tractates on architecture during the Italian Renaissance. It originated around 1480 in Urbino, where Francesco di Giorgio Martini was active at the court of Federico da Montafeltro, the Duke of Urbino. While there, Martini was entrusted with the completion of the Palazzo Ducale – highlighting his prestige as an architect. His Trattato di Architettura is divided into two parts: civil and military architecture. The executions of these subject areas are richly illustrated with detailed architectural depictions and details.