Lewis Hind is a rare gem that will take the reader into the depths of Leonardo da Vinci's work and his fascination with drawing. Hind provides valuable inputs at the beginning of this book. Leonardo da Vinci's work called Treatise on Painting is one example to show how well versed he was with the technicalities of flawless drawing. While most readers would associate da Vinci with his famous paintings, very little is known of his drawing abilities. Hind believes it is the learnings in his experiments with various illustrations that he applies to masterpieces like the Mona Lisa and others.The book opens with an introduction by Hind followed by numerous drawings by da Vinci. Each drawing is taken from plates with captions and photo credits. Most of the drawings show the expertise of da Vinci's understanding of perspective and acute observations of nature and natural contours. A large number of pictures showcase portraits and the human form in varying positions and postures. As Hind explains, da Vinci's genius was not limited to paint and canvas alone. It transcended disciplines as varied as philosophy, mechanics and most importantly drawing aesthetics.The mainstay of this work however, is not just the drawings that are sure to provide a visual treat for the readers; it is the fascinating stories and anecdotes revolving around many of his work showcased here. Whether it is the mention of the first landscape he drew in 1473 or the use of various media including pen, charcoal or his expertise as a sculptor, Hind brings out valuable snippets of information and trivia that will keep the reader hooked. Drawings of Leonardo da Vinci is an ideal handbook for art students and drawing enthusiasts as much as it is a necessary piece as part of da Vinci's collectibles.About the Publisher

    While Rome, Florence and Venice have each found English historians, and while fresh books on Renaissance Italy appear every day, no English writer has told the story of the Sforza as a whole. The scant attention which has been given to the history of Milan may be compared with the brief visit which the traveller pays to the capital of Lombardy before he presses on to other Italian cities. Yet those who pause to look will find, hidden under the bustle of a modern commercial town, numerous relics of an age when the Duchy of Milan was deemed the first State in Italy. To the student of history the rule of the Sforza presents one of the most characteristic examples of an Italian tyranny at the time of the Renaissance.

    This is the first biography of an important Renaissance figure. It is above all as a patron of art and letters that Isabella D'Este will be remembered. In this respect she deserves a place with the most enlightened princes of the Renaissance, with Lorenzo de Medici and Lodovico Sforza. This book provides a thorough examination of D'Este's life, and a detailed account of an intriguing woman of the Italian Renaissance, with illustrations and family trees. Illustrations include a portrait by Leonardo Da Vinci, and another by Titian of Isabella dressed in full regalia.