Despite the fact that he called himself a "homo sanza lettere" ("man without letters"), Leonardo formed over the years a conspicuous library, which included texts of natural philosophy as well as those of literary, technical and artistic culture. With the authors of these texts Leonardo engaged in dialogue that was never passive, subjecting even the most fully accredited doctrines to the strict control of reason and the proof of experience. The number and variety of the books in his library reflects the curiosity of a mind reaching out in all possible directions of research.

Integrated with the library is Leonardo's writing desk, the place where the creative exercise of his mind assumed the form of verbal discourse interwoven with sketches and drawings, executed either free-hand or with sophisticated instruments.