← Leonardo da Vinci

Traitté de la Peinture

Original title: Traitté de la Peinture

Artist

Leonardo da Vinci

Date

1651

Medium

Printed book

Dimensions

Overall: 15 1/2 x 10 5/8 x 1 9/16 in. (39.3 x 27 x 4 cm) Storage: 16 3/4 x 11 11/16 x 2 9/16 in. (42.5 x 29.7 x 6.5 cm)

Credit line

Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1932

kurzbeschreibung

Printed in 1651, this book draws on Leonardo da Vinci's writings and deals with the theory of painting. It was produced by letterpress. The copy held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art measures roughly 39.3 x 27 cm.

Description

A drawing shows the head and upper body of a young person in traditional dress. The child wears a shirt with an ornate collar, and curly hair is tied in a knot. Numbers and mathematical notations above the head suggest some kind of evaluation. The slightly yellowed paper bears signs of use, and the sheet remains in black and white.

Context

The 'Abhandlung über die Malerei' was first printed in Paris in 1651, more than 130 years after Leonardo's death. It was based on surviving manuscripts assembled by his pupil Francesco Melzi. The publisher Raphaël Trichet du Fresne organised and edited the texts for printing. The book became influential for Baroque art theory and for the centuries that followed.

Impact

Clearly drawn lines and a calm layout give the drawing its expressiveness without overcrowding it. The juxtaposition of a portrait-like subject and mathematical notes creates an intellectual, almost enigmatic mood.

Technique

The book was printed with movable type on paper. The accompanying illustrations were made as woodcuts or copper engravings and appear in black and white. The paper has a natural, slightly yellowish tone and shows signs of ageing.

AI-generated description text

Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)