Leonardo da Vinci: The Mechanics of Man - Hardcover

Clayton, Martin; Philo, Ronald

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1606060201 ISBN 13: 9781606060209

Publisher: J Paul Getty Museum Pubns, 2010

Synopsis

Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) spent over twenty-five years investigating the workings of the human body. While his paintings were widely known in his day, only a few friends and associates had any intimation of the extent of his medical research. Leonardo's "Anatomical Manuscript A," created over the winter of 1510-11, is the only group of such drawings in which he approached complete coverage of the human form, and it represents his finest work in this area.
This fascinating book presents a complete discussion of all the drawings in Manuscript A, not only as evidence of Leonardo's artistic genius, but also as the product of the sophisticated scientific investigations they represent. Each drawing records a meticulous human dissection and is extensively annotated with Leonardo's notes, questions, and memoranda to himself in "mirror-writing," (backward writing legible only when held up to a mirror, the motivations for which have been the subject of much speculation).
Each drawing is reproduced twice: once in its original form and once with a new English translation in place of Leonardo's original notes. The authors comment on the accuracy of the anatomical renderings and the conclusions Leonardo draws from them.

About this title

Review:

"This book...is engaging and exquisite and holds great appeal to the general reader." "Library Journal""

"A valuable reference . . . Recommended." "Choice""

"This book...is engaging and exquisite and holds great appeal to the general reader." Library Journal

"

"A valuable reference . . . Recommended." Choice

"

"This book...is engaging and exquisite and holds great appeal to the general reader."--Library Journal

"A valuable reference . . . Recommended."--Choice

About the Author:

Martin Clayton is curator of the print room at Windsor Castle.

About this edition

• Publisher: J Paul Getty Museum Pubns
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1606060201
• ISBN 13: 9781606060209
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 160