Sezione I Sezione II Sezione III Section IV Sezione V Sezione VI Sezione VII
The Mind of Leonardo
IV
IV
Studies of forms (the so-called "Foglio Tema"), RL 12283r
  [ IV  The grammar of forms: proportion and analogy ]  
 
     

Leonardo conceives of form as an entity that can be endlessly transformed, according to rules of geometry and proportion that have, to his mind, characteristics of absolute regularity and harmony. He attempts to show the presence of these laws in all spheres of nature: from the human body to those of animals, from the branches of trees to those of rivers, from geometric shapes to those of fossils. This concept of the infinite malleability of forms is a salient feature of his entire activity as artist, designer of machines and investigator of the phenomena of the physical world.

 
IV.1 Geometric man
IV.1 Geometric man
IV.2 The Equilibrium of Forms
IV.2 The Equilibrium of Forms
IV.3 Transformation and Metamorphosis
IV.3 Transformation and Metamorphosis
IV.4 Forms as universal matrices
IV.4 Forms as universal matrices
IV.5 The Sforza Monument
IV.5 The Sforza Monument
 
       
       
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