The Museo Galileo and the Commissione Vinciana are preparing an exhibition dedicated to an accurate reconstruction of his library. The exhibition, curated by Carlo, will illustrate one of the less studied aspects of Leonardo. The profile of the scholar, artist and scientist that emerges from his manuscripts reveals his close and constant relationship with books, with the culture of his time, and with the great authors both past and present.
An avid reader, Leonardo owned nearly two hundred books. Most were printed books in the areas of science and technology, but there were also works of literature and religion (beginning with the Bible). His early acquisitions were written in the vernacular, but later his library came to include texts in Latin. There were in addition dictionaries and grammars testifying to Leonardo’s efforts to learn Latin when he decided to become an author himself.
A selection of most significant texts owned and used by Leonardo will be on display. The exhibition will also feature a reconstruction of the atelier where he worked on his drawings, notebooks, and other writings. Computer stationed in the exhibition rooms will allow visitors to leaf through digitalized books and manuscripts and access information regarding their contents and the use that Leonardo made of them. A digital library will contain all of the books owned and/or consulted by Leonardo.