Leonardo da Vinci: The Complete Paintings and Drawings

Leonardo Da Vinci #1-2

by Frank Zöllner, Johannes Nathan, Leonardo da Vinci

TASCHEN's 25th anniversary - Special edition! Special bestseller price Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) possessed one of the greatest minds of all time; his importance and influence are inestimable. This XXL-format comprehensive survey is the most complete book ever made on the subject of this Italian painter, sculptor, architect, engineer, scientist and all-around genius. With huge, full-bleed details of Leonardo's masterworks, this highly original publication allows the reader to inspect the subtlest facets of his brushstrokes. * Part I explores Leonardo's life and work in ten chapters. All of his paintings are interpreted in depth, with The Annunciation and The Last Supper featured on large double-spreads. * Part II comprises a catalogue raisonn? of Leonardo's paintings, which covers all of his surviving and lost painted works and includes texts describing their states of preservation. * Part III contains an extensive catalogue of his drawings (numbering in the thousands, they cannot all be reproduced in one book); 663 are presented, arranged by category (architecture, technical, anatomical, figures, proportion, cartography, etc). This sumptuous TASCHEN offering is the most thorough and beautifully produced Leonardo book ever published, and this special edition offers it for a third of the usual price.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, History, Art History, Biography, Reference, Renaissance

695 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2003

About the author

Frank Zöllner (born 26 June 1956 in Bremen) is a German art historian and professor.

Zöllner studied history of art from 1977 to 1981. In 1983-1985 he was an 'Aby Warburg Fellow' in the Warburg Institute, in London. After his 1987 graduation took place at the University of Hamburg he worked from 1988 to 1992 as a research assistant at the Bibliotheca Hertziana in Rome.

Zöllner has since 1996 been a professor of medieval and modern art history at the University of Leipzig.

Reviews

[Huda Aweys · Rating 3 out of 5]

دراسة دافنشي التشريحية (و اهتمامه بالتفاصيل) أثرت على اعماله و خلته واحد من أهم المصورين في العصر دا ان جاز التعبير

و لو انه فعلا من أهم مصوري العصر دا :) رغم انه ماكانش فيه مصورين اصلا بالمعنى المتعارف عليه حاليا ، الا انه من الثابت تاريخيا انه كان من اوائل الناس اللي اكتشفوا و استخدموا تقنية الحجرة المظلمة او الكاميرا ذات الثقب
*****
و طبيعة العصر دا عموما بخلفيته الدينية الشاعرية و ميله للترميز الديني و الفلسفي ، تركت انطباعها على اعمال دافنشي بشكل واضح يخلينا نقول بكل ثقة انه كان فنان عصره فعلا

الضوء .. العيون .. التفاصيل .. صبغة الغموض اللي بيصبغها على شخوصه ، بتبين مدى موهبته و حساسيته ، اللي بتنقله من مصاف الفنانين العاديين في الفترة دي لرتبة أرقى فعلا شويه :) يستحق بيها انه يكون
(ليوناردو دافينشي)

*****
بس الحقيقة اني لاحظت ان الأوروبيين مهولين من امكانياته و خبراته .. بشكل مبالغ فيه فعلا و بانيين اساطير حواليه .. تقريبا كده مألهينه
:)
***
و الحقيقة بردو اني موش من المأخوذين بالموناليزا .. او بابتسامتها :) ، و ان كانت التقنية اللي دافنشي استعان بيها في تلك اللوحة بفضل دراسته للهندسة تقنية مميزة فعلا و ملفته
و بالمناسبة بردو ، انا من الناس اللي معتقدين بوجود رموز في أعماله و بكونه كان واحد من (التنويريين) فعلا
و أخباره و آرائه بتأكد على هذا الاعتقاد
*****
من اقواله المأثورة (و اللي وردت في (مخطوطة اتلانتيكس) ، اللي بتضم مذكراته و بعض رسوماته و مخططاته ) :
***

أعلم جيدا , بما أنى لست أديبا , أن بعض المتعجرفين قد يبدو لهم منصفا انتقادى بحجة أنى رجل لم يدرس الآداب .يا لهم من أناس حمقاء ! لا يعرفون أنى أستطيع الرد عليهم كما رد ماريو على النبلاء الرومان قائلا :" إن هؤلاء الذين يتزيّــنون من جهود الآخرين لا يريدون الإعتراف بجهودى ." ألا يعلم هؤلاء أنى اكتسبت معارفى بشكل أكبر عن طريق الخبرة التي علمت الكتاب الموهوبين كيف يكتبون و هكذا اتخذها أنا معلمةً لى و هذه هي حجتى في كل الأحوال

*****

معنى أننى" رجل لم يدرس الآداب " يكمن في أنى لا أعرف اللاتينية :و لكنى لا أحتاج تعلم اللاتينية لأنه يوجد الكثير من المفردات في لغتى الأم ، ما يهم هو فهم الأشياء جيدا أكثرمن نقص الكلمات التى أستطيع أن أعبر بها عن فكرى ، و إن كانت لغة العامة لها القدرة الكاملة على التعبير عن أى مفهوم فتصبح المشكلة في صحة ما يُناقش

*****

إن هؤلاء الذين يجادلون مستشهدين بمراجع كًتّاب آخرين يصبحون مغرورين و متغطرسين ، كالذين يرتدون و يتزيّنون بجهود الآخرين لا بجهودهم ، و لا يعترفون بجهودى و يحقّرون من كونى مخترعا بقدر كونهم ليسوا مخترعين بل مقلدين و مجرد رواه لأعمال غيرهم قد يصبحون محل انتقاد. ثم ينتقدوننى مستندين إلى أن براهينى تناقض براهين رجال آخرين ذوى أهمية كبيرة و بعدهم تكون البراهين عديمة الخبرة ، و ذلك لأنهم لم يأخذوا في الإعتبار أن أشيائى نشأت من جراء التجربة البسيطة الخالصة و التى تعد المعلم الحقيقى .

*****

[E. G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Preface to the 2015 Edition

Leonardo da Vinci - Life and Work, Frank Zöllner
--I The young artist in Florence 1469-1480
--II Professional breakthrough in Florence 1480-1482
--III A fresh start in Milan 1483-1484
--IV Beginnings as court artist in Milan 1485-1494
--V The artist and "science"
--VI From the Last Supper to the fall of Ludovico Sforza 1495-1499
--VII From Mantua to Venice and back to Florence 1500-1503
--VIII Leonardo in Florence 1504-1506: Battle paintings and "muscular rhetoric"
--IX Between Florence and Milan 1506-1510
--X The last years
Bibliographical References (Life and Work)

--Catalogue Raisonné of the Paintings, Frank Zöllner
--The "Heidelberg Cicero", Frank Zöllner

The Graphic Work, Frank Zöllner and Johannes Nathan
--Perfecting the art of drawing
--1. Drawings and sketches for surviving or documented paintings
--2. Studies for equestrian monuments and horses
--3. Drawings of human figures, animals and monsters
--4. Drapery studies
--5. Profile studies, character heads and grotesques
--6. Proportion drawings
--7. Anatomical drawings
--8. Allegories, emblems and pictographs
--9. Plant studies
--10. Studies of landscapes, water and "natural catastrophes"
--11. Drawings of maps and plans
--12. Architectural studies
--13. Engineering and machinery studies
--14. Studies for military equipment
--15. Studies of flying machines and bird flight
--16. Studies on light and shade
--17. Leonardo's manuscripts

Concordance of drawings
Bibliography
Index
Credits
Acknowledgements
Imprint

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome prints showing every detail. 5 out of 5 stars

[Wendy Lohr · Rating 5 out of 5]

*This review can also be found on my blog, The Never-Ending TBR Pile.

Insightful. Thorough. Illuminating.

Leonardo da Vinci has always fascinated me. So when I discovered they were coming out with an edition of this book to celebrate 500 years since his death, I put it on my Christmas list and my awesome hubby got it for me. I've been slowly devouring it ever since as this is a massive book. And it is worth devouring slowly.

It's not so much a biography of da Vinci as more of a collection and analysis of his works. But so much is gleaned from his life and the society and culture of his day as each section walks through his various periods that I felt I learned a lot about the man as well as his creations. Learning of his various employers and the multitude of unrealized concepts he came up with was fascinating. So I have no doubt I'll be seeking out more biographical accounts of his life to discover even more interesting details and tidbits.

The artwork presented and analyzed in this edition is stunning even in their digitized state. Most likely I'll never get to all the museums in the world that possess da Vinci works, so this was the next best thing, allowing me to see detailed sections of paintings as well as the full paintings themselves and showing even the most minute of detail such as brush strokes and figures or shapes that no one can get close enough to any of the paintings now to really scrutinize. Well, unless you're a restorer. Then lucky you!

It was amazing to see the sheer volume of sketches and notes that made up his numerous notebooks also portrayed in this book. Everything from plants and animals to fables to war machines and flying machines were spotlighted, showing the seemingly never-ending depth of da Vinci's curiosity about the world around him. It's incredible to know how much he contributed to so many different areas of interest just within his lifetime and how those contributions are still astounding people today. Talk about leaving a legacy!

So, if you're interested in da Vinci's works, whether it's his scythed-chariot concept, his humongous flying machine, his mapping of canal systems, or the Mona Lisa, definitely get a copy of this.

As a side note, Taschen publishes many other compendiums similar to this one but about many other artists that I might just have to go back into their catalog and see what else I can find!

[Sharna Sammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the kind of book one 'reads'. To put it simply... he was a scientist and so he approached his work as a scientist - ready to explore the possibilities in his mind. He practiced his craft everyday. He became as great as he was through practice, practice, and more practice, until he mastered it.

[Arnav · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool book.

[Smiley]

I bought this huge hardcover (THB1,700) at the SU Book Fair on Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010 after I had waited for a copy since last October. Then, there was a National Book Fair in BKK, I saw one or two copies in Khun Chanchai's booth and didn't decide to buy one (this price). A few days later I decided to buy one but they're all gone! Therefore, Khun Chanchai told me he was sorry and I needed to wait till next time. And the time came for me, while another booth would sell me at THB2,600 (!?!) which was a daylight robbery.

I would definitely enjoy my browsing & reading Leonardo da Vinci's eternal masterpieces for ever.

[Serena Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

He demonstrated how a good understanding of math resulted in a better understanding of art- a true genius.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives a lot of facts and speculation on Leo and each painting, sketch and invention he's ever produced... That we know of

[Shruti Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

" Today I read Leonardo da Vinci's book on painting and now understand why I have never been able to understand anything in it before."
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Accurate description for the book.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is quite thorough and contains plenty of information about da Vinci's life, painting process, the condition/location/history of each painting, as well as most of his drawings, from portraits to mechanical studies to botany studies. A couple drawings (both portraits of women) came to mind that did not show up in this book, but I'm sure they've been attributed to da Vinci before this book was published, so I'm not sure why are are not included since they are both pretty well known. In the end I came away wanting to know even more about him, beyond the incredible amount of information already included. The author has done a lot of research and even explains why some works may or may not be correctly attributed, like some of the earlier works by Verrochio and da Vinci, and paintings by students based off of da Vinci's designs. The reproductions are very well done, and the physical book is very beautiful (and heavy!). If you are interested in knowing more than you already do, I recommend this book. The explanations and sources are all very valid, and properly cited.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Algunos párrafos de redacción confusa

[Tony Foxhoven · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was actually really good and had just pages upon pages of preliminary sketches,etc. Honestly the reason this took me so long is that the book is literally 10 pounds and a length past a foot so I couldn't just pick it up and read. Despite needing a flat surface nearly every time I started to read this was a really informative and gorgeous book = the Art journey continues

[Dana Al-Basha | دانة الباشا]

[wyclif · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding art book; probably my fave of the genre. Rewards repeated perusals. It's also great for teaching art appreciation and history to children.

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was fantastic in its detailing the only problem that i have with this book is the binding itself it ruins some of the images i feel a better binding could have helped the book but other then the binding i do love this!

[brittney · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is a vacation bound in leather! nuff said

[Troy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential!!!

[Doug Wells · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the paintings were, as can be expected, remarkable, the writing really never captured the nuance of da Vinci.

[Janh55 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Astounding, extraordinary, jaw-dropping record of all his work. You can't help but wonder at his genius. A privilege to own, actually.

[Rouida Khoury]

Review

[Winter Sophia Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Glorious Compilation Of The Master's Work!

[Merve Gunbayli · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book about Leaonardo Da Vinci.

[Mohamad Issa · Rating 4 out of 5]

9/10

[Oya Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

<3 <3 hermoso <3 <3

[Jozef Melichár · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful book with either, interesting texts and great reproduction. Especially i appreciate drawings and sketches.

[Mylène · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought an older version and it is so fascinating and inspiring. The precision of most drawings is astonishing!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good collection. It's a little thin on text, it's mostly prints, but if that's what you're looking for, look no further.

[Sä ID · Rating 5 out of 5]

best of all

[Vania Chaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful! I've had this for years and still pull it out from time to time to look at the beautiful works from da Vinci. A must for any sort of library collection.