Madrid Codices I & II
Lost for Centuries — Discovered by Chance in 1966
Overview
The Madrid Codices are two manuscripts by Leonardo that were discovered by chance in 1966 in the Biblioteca Nacional de España, where they had been misfiled and lost for centuries. Their discovery was one of the most significant finds in Leonardo scholarship in the 20th century.
Madrid Codex I — Mechanics
The first codex consists of 192 pages divided into two parts. Part 1 contains sketches and notes on elementary mechanisms — gears, levers, springs, bearings, and chains. Part 2 covers notes on theoretical mechanics. This codex represents Leonardo's most systematic study of mechanical principles.
Madrid Codex II — Mixed Studies
The second codex comprises 157 pages covering a remarkable range of subjects:
- Military architecture and fortifications
- Maps and geographical studies
- Studies of optics and the mechanism of vision
- Notes on painting
- Studies for the casting of the Sforza Horse (1491–1493)
- Geometry (1503–1505)
- Studies of stereometry
- Designs for sailing ships and windmills
- Studies for a mechanical viol
Notable Folios
- c. 25r — Studies of the mechanism of vision
- cc. 22v–23r — Map of the Arno valley
- c. 35r — Studies of sailing ships
- c. 43v — Studies for a windmill
- c. 76r — Studies for a mechanical viol and portrait of a musician
- c. 127r — Studies of stereometry
- Attached pages — Sketch for the mould of the horse for the Sforza monument