Notes and Sketches: Civil, Military, and Naval Architecture

Manuscript Fragment

The following text is translated from Leonardo da Vinci’s original mirror-writing, where he wrote from right to left. These notes appear to be a study on the mathematical proportions of architectural supports.

the pillars that support the arches should be one-fourth or one-fifth? original: "de 4 parte l'uno de de 5"
the arches should be 10 and the arches above? should be 5 in length each
so that the thickness thickness (groseza) of said pillars supporting the arches? should be the ...?
of the pillars the said arches?
the arches should be the proportionality? of said pillars should be 10?
the arches above should be half?
the said pillars support? the arches
the said pillars support? the arches

the said pillars support? the arches above?
the said arches should be of the same length as one another
the pillars support? the arches above?
the said arches should be the pillars support?

Architectural Illustration

148

This engraving depicts a grand Renaissance estate. At the highest elevation sits a villa featuring a long, shaded gallery or loggia. Below it, the hillside is transformed into a terraced garden with geometric planting beds, reflecting the Renaissance ideal of order imposed on nature. This may relate to Leonardo's designs for the French King's residence at Romorantin.