I

I Prolegomena and General Introduction to the Book on Painting.

Clavis Silillorum.

1. In the few instances in which Leonardo has written from left to right in the ordinary way this is stated in a note. In all other cases the writing is backwards.

2. The numbers printed above the line in the revised text: ², ³, ⁴ &c. indicate the heads of the lines in the original MS. In many instances the breaking off of the lines in the original MS. accounts for peculiarities in the construction of Leonardo’s sentences. In the translation the numbers refer only to the footnotes and they have been introduced in such passages, which require an explanation. [note: the revised (Italian) text is int included in this online edition - Liam]

Taken from The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci edited by Jean Paul Richter, 1880.

Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci
I - Prolegomena and General Introduction to the Book on Painting.
The author’s intention to publish his MSS.
The preparation of the MSS. for publication.
Admonition to readers.
The disorder in the MSS.
subjects..
5,
6,
7,
General introductions to the book on Painting.
9,
10,
11,
12,
The plan of the book on Painting.
14,
15,
16,
The use of the book on Painting.
Necessity of theoretical knowledge.
19,
The function of the eye.
21,
22,
23,
Variability of the eye.
Differences of perception by one eye and by both eyes.
26,
27,
28,
The comparative size of the image depends on the amount of light.
30,
31,
32,
33,
34,
35,
36,
37,
38,