Leonardo Da Vinci: The Marvellous Works of Nature and Man

Martin Kemp, Leonardo (da Vinci)

Oxford University Press, UK, Mar 23, 2006 - Art - 381 pages

A masterly account of the genius of Leonardo da Vinci and his vision of the world, generously illustrated throughout, presenting a fully integrated picture of Leonardo's art, science, and thought. Widely recognized as a classic, this fully updated new edition includes a new introduction setting Leonardo's life and work in its wider historical context. - ;This masterly account of Leonardo da Vinci and his vision of the world is now widely recognized as the classic treatment of Leonardo's art, science, and thought, giving an unparalleled insight into the broadening and deepening of Leonardo's intellect and vision throughout his artistic career. Kemp, one of the world's leading authorities on Leonardo, takes us on a journey through the whole span of the great man's career, giving a fully integrated picture of his artistic, scientific, and technological achievements. Leonardo's early training in Florence provided a crucial foundation in the 'science of art', particularly perspective and anatomy. His period in the service of the Sforzas of Milan enlarged his outlook to embrace a wide range of natural sciences and mathematics, as he searched for scientific rules governing both man and the universe. It was these rules which provided the basis for his imaginative reconstruction of nature in great works such as the Last Supper, the Mona Lisa, and St John, which reveal his increasingly complex vision of man in the context of nature. And towards the end of his life, Leonardo became fascinated with the mathematics underlying the 'design of nature', behind which lay the ultimate force of the 'prime mover', as manifested with supreme power in his Deluge drawings. Covering all areas of Leonardo's achievement, generously illustrated, and now including a new introductory chapter setting Leonardo's work in its historical context, this fully updated new edition provides an unparalleled insight into the marvellous works of this central figure in western art. - ;Masterful... his analysis of Leonardo holds great value... because it refuses to separate out the artist's diverse skills and achievements. - Art Quarterly

What people are saying

Review: Leonardo Da Vinci: The Marvellous Works of Nature and Man

User Review  - Krishan - Goodreads

Easily one of the best studies of Leonardo, authored by the leading authority on the great man. The only drawback is the lack of good prints in the book. Considering the number of books that are printed just for the drawings, this is hardly a drawback.

About the author

Martin Kemp is University Professor of the History of Art at the University of Oxford (Trinity College). The author of The Oxford History of Western Art and Leonardo, he appears frequently in the media, including radio interviews, a television program on Piero della Francesca, a video for the National Gallery in Washington DC, and a Leonardo CD-ROM for Bill Gates.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Leonardo Da Vinci: The Marvellous Works of Nature and Man
• Authors: Martin Kemp, Leonardo (da Vinci)
• Edition: illustrated, reprint, revised
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, UK, 2006
• ISBN: 0192807250, 9780192807250
• Length: 381 pages
• Subjects: Art / History / Renaissance