The Codex Atlanticus is he largest collection of Leonardo's papers ever assembled. It was put together by the sixteenth-century Italian sculptor and collector Pompeo Leoni and contains Leonardo's most spectacular drawings of technological innovations, of weapons and fortifications, of hydraulic devices, vessels and flying machines.
Every aspect of Leonardo's astonishing genius is represented here, showing his abiding interest in the mechanical sciences and mathematics, in astronomy, physical geography, botany, chemistry and anatomy.
The material totalling 1286
items made up of sheets and fragments of all kinds and sizes, encompasses the
full span of Leonardo's productive life, from 1478 to 1518.
It also provides evidence of his artistic skills by way of studies for paintings such as the Adoration of the Magi, the Leda and the Battle of Anghiari, including projects for the equestrian monuments of Francesco Sforza and Gian Giacomo Trivulzio, and even automatons.
In addition, there are extensive notations on the theoretical and practical aspects of paintings and sculpture, on optics, perspective, the theory of light and shade, and the artist's materials.
Finally, the Codex
Atlanticus includes invaluable examples of the architectural and urban plans
that Leonardo was not able to realize in full: from the early studies for the
urban renewal of the city of Milan to the late project of a new Medici Palace
in Florence, and then to the latest vision of a new residence at Romorantin in
France, which prefigures Versailles.
The Leonardo text in the
Codex Atlanticus is given in diplomatic and critical transcriptions with notes by Augusto Marinoni, each volume of text corresponding to a volume of
facsimiles.
Facsimiles (twelve volumes): each volume (size 440 x 603 mm.) handbound
in leather, with gold stamping on the
spine.
Diplomatic and critical transcription (twelve volumes): each volume
(size 214 x 298 mm.) handbound in leather, with gold stamping on the spine.