Windsor, Royal Library at Windsor Castle

Landscapes and Plant and Water Studies by Leonardo da Vinci (Collection) Facsimile Edition

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Leonardo da Vinci's Landscapes and Plants and Water Studies is a collection of drawings, variously executed in ink, chalk, and silverpoint, bearing witness to Leonardo's passion surrounding the phenomena of nature. Flowers, plants and the movement of water are depicted with scientific precision: plants are shown in relation to the terrain where they grow, water is portrayed in all its headlong, destructive fury as part of an overall vision of atmospheric activity and turbulence, and mountains are studied from a geological viewpoint.

This collection includes the following groups of drawings:

I. The 'Theme Sheet', ca. 1489-90
II. Early Studies, ca. 1478 and ca. 1485
III. Narrative Landscapes, ca. 1495-1500 and later
IV. Black Chalk Mountains, ca. 1506-8 and later, ca. 1510-15
V. Leda Plant Studies, ca. 1506-8 and later, ca. 1513-14
VI. Studio Works, ca. 1505 and later
VII. Red on Red Drawings, 1511
VIII. Water Studies, ca. 1509 and later, ca. 1513
IX. Adda River Views, ca. 1513
X. Symbolic Landscapes and Deluges, ca. 1513-15 and later

 

During the fifteenth century in Florence, many painters, including Leonardo, became captivated by the allure of landscapes, flora, and trees. This fascination with nature's beauty was not entirely new, as late Gothic artists had previously explored similar themes.

Artistic Tradition and Lost Florals

Leonardo's contributions to this genre must be understood in the context of an evolving artistic tradition. Although earlier artists had likely created numerous floral drawings, few, if any, have survived. These drawings were often deemed insignificant, serving as mere means to an end. Nevertheless, there are references to Molti fiori ritratti di naturale (many flowers drawn from life) in an early list of Leonardo's works, though none of these specific flower studies remain.

Botanical Studies and Medieval Influence

In 1483, for the commission of the Virgin of the Rocks, Leonardo returned to extensive plant studies, indicating his ongoing interest in botany. He was also exposed to medieval herbals, which combined Christian symbolism, decorative patterns, and scientific observations. This blend of art and science deeply fascinated him. Leonardo even noted in 1493 that "Maestro Giuliano da Marliano has a beautiful herbal." He also possessed an herbal referred to as "erbolajo grande." It is apparent that he was passionate about acquiring knowledge in this field and intended to compile his own collection of plant drawings.

Scientific Approach to Natural Elements

As his scientific approach grew more pronounced, Leonardo began to consider the relationship between plants and their environments. His drawings of rock formations, often accompanied by plants and water, exude a unique sense of vitality. Leonardo's study of water, in particular, went beyond mere observation. He recognized the interconnectedness of natural elements and sought to depict them with scientific accuracy. His drawings of storms, cataclysms, and turbulent waters, marked by dramatic use of light and shade, are notable for their precision.

Sketches and Nature Studies

Some of Leonardo's landscape drawings were preparatory sketches for paintings, while others were pure nature studies. His sketches of riverbanks around Villa Melzi at Vaprio d'Adda showcase his exceptional skill and precision in rendering landscapes. These drawings, though small in scale, display the intricate details of nature and hint at Leonardo's desire to excel in every aspect of his art.

Rock Formations and the Deluge Series

Leonardo's black chalk drawings of rock formations, which are strongly connected to the background of the Louvre Virgin and St. Anne, exhibit boldness and power. These drawings paved the way for the Deluge series, a collection of his most enigmatic works. These drawings, marked by swirling waters, are a culmination of Leonardo's deep fascination with the movement of water, which he likened to the flow of blood and wavy hair.

Apocalyptic Visions

Notably, some of Leonardo's Deluge drawings hint at apocalyptic visions, featuring impossible natural phenomena that symbolize universal destruction. The interplay between scientific observation and symbolism characterizes the complexity of Leonardo's mind during his later years. This shift in focus led his contemporaries to view him less as a painter and more as a magician with profound insights into the mysteries of the universe. These drawings, rich in both artistic and scientific merit, serve as a testament to Leonardo da Vinci's enduring influence on art and science.

We have 1 facsimile edition of the manuscript "Landscapes and Plant and Water Studies by Leonardo da Vinci (Collection)": The drawings and miscellaneous papers of Leonardo da Vinci in the collection of Her Majesty the Queen at Windsor Castle / Landscapes, plants and water studies. facsimile edition, published by Johnson Reprint, 1982

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The drawings and miscellaneous papers of Leonardo da Vinci in the collection of Her Majesty the Queen at Windsor Castle / Landscapes, plants and water studies.

London: Johnson Reprint, 1982

  • Commentary (English, Italian) by Clark, Kenneth; Pedretti, Carlo
  • Limited Edition: 350 copies
  • Collection: a selection of documents associated by a common thread and collected by the publisher in a single edition.

Half leather-bound box (size 330 x 480 mm) with gold tooling, containing 70 plates with facsimile reproductions of the drawings, recto and verso, and a 240-page volume of text with 150 black and white illustrations, bound in half leather with gold tooling on the spine.

For the first time, Leonardo’s nature studies are presented in their entirety, accompanied by a catalogue by Carlo Pedretti and an introduction by Kenneth Clark. All the studies are arranged in chronological order and subdivided into ten categories consisting of a ‘topic sheet’ containing the elements of all the four classifications of Leonardo’s drawings at Windsor, early studies, narrative landscapes, mountains drawn in charcoal, plant studies for Leda and the Swan, school drawings, the red series (from the red ground on the paper used for the sanguine drawings), water studies, the Adda River series and symbolic landscapes and floods.

Landscapes, Plants and Water Studies is the first volume of the collection "The drawings and miscellaneous papers of Leonardo da Vinci in the collection of Her Majesty the Queen at Windsor Castle". The second volume is Horses and other animals.

The collection includes the following group of drawings:

I. The 'Theme Sheet', ca. 1489-90
II. Early Studies, ca. 1478 and ca. 1485
III. Narrative Landscapes, ca. 1495-1500 and later
IV. Black Chalk Mountains, ca. 1506-8 and later, ca. 1510-15
V. Leda Plant Studies, ca. 1506-8 and later, ca. 1513-14
VI. Studio Works, ca. 1505 and later
VII. Red on Red Drawings, 1511
VIII. Water Studies, ca. 1509 and later, ca. 1513
IX. Adda River Views, ca. 1513
X. Symbolic Landscapes and Deluges, ca. 1513-15 and later

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