Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) stands as a supreme icon in the history of Western
civilization. With much of his work lost or unfinished, the key to his legacy is
without doubt to be found in the enormous body of his extant drawings and
accompanying manuscript notes. Famous for their beauty and technical virtuosity,
Leonardo's drawings were avidly sought by collectors even during his lifetime.
This handsome book offers a unified and fascinating portrait of Leonardo as a
draftsman, integrating his diverse roles as an artist, scientist, inventor,
theorist, and teacher. A chronological framework is also provided in order to
shed light on his extraordinary life and career.