Leonardo da Vinci's "Paragone": A Critical Interpretation with a New Edition of the Text in the "Codex Urbinas" PDF
Preview Leonardo da Vinci's "Paragone": A Critical Interpretation with a New Edition of the Text in the "Codex Urbinas"
LEONARDO DA VINCI'S PARACONE BRILL'S STUDIES IN INTELLECTUAL HISTORY General Editor A.]. VANDERJAGT, University of Groningen Editorial Board M. COLISH, Oberlin College J.I. ISRAEL, University College, London J.D. NORTH, University of Groningen H.A. OBERMAN, University of Arizona, Tucson R.H. POPKIN, Washington University, St. Louis-UCLA VOLUME 25 LEONARDO DA VINCI'S PARA GONE A Critical Interpretation with a New Edition of the Text in the Codex U rbinas BY CLAIRE J. FARAGO E.J. BRILL LEIDEN • NEW YORK • K0BENHAV N • KOLN 1992 The paper in this book meets the guidelines for permanence and durability of the Committee on Production Guidelines for Book Longevity of the Council on Library Resources. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Farago, Claire J. Leonardo da Vinci's Paragone: a critical interpretation with a new edition of the text in the Codex Urbinas I by Claire J. Farago. p. cm.-(Brill's studies in intellectual history, ISSN 0920-8607; v. 25) Revision of author's thesis. Includes bibliographical references (p. ) and index. ISBN 90-04-09415-6 (cloth) 1. Painting-Philosophy. 2. Codex Vaticanus Urbinas 1270. 3. Leonardo, da Vinci, 1452-1519-Aesthetics. 4. Ut pictura poesis (Aesthetics) I. Leonardo, da Vinci, 1452-1519. Trattato della pittura. 1991. II. Title. III. Series. ND1140.F35 1991 75 0-dc20 91-1 7966 CIP ISSN 0920-8607 ISBN 90 04 09415 6 © Copyright 1992 by EJ. Brill, Leiden, The Netherlands All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or translated in a1!JI form, by print, photoprint, microfilm, microfiche or any other means without written permission from the publisher Authorization to photocopy items for internal or personal use is granted by EJ. Brill provided that the appropriate fees are paid directry to Copyright Clearance Center, 27 Congress Street, SALEM MA 01970, USA. Fees are subject to change. PRINTED IN THE NETHERLANDS Dedicated to the memory of PINKNEY L. NEAR 1927-1990 mentor and friend Ifl did not entirely satisfy [the readers'] expectations, they should not blame [me] for daring to tackle such an important subject. If my natural ability (ingenium) could not complete what it was praiseworthy to undertake, they should remember that, in the case of the greatest subjects, it is customary to be praised for trying the most difficult things with good will. Perhaps there will be those who will amend my errors and who, in this preeminent and most worthy subject, will be of far greater assistance to painters than I. If such [successors] arise, I would entreat them over and over to undertake this task with a ready mind in which they exert their ingenium, and to write on this most noble art as elegantly as possible. I consider it a great pleasure to have taken the palm in being the first to put this most subtle art into writing. If I was not able to meet the expecta tions of the readers in completing this very difficult undertaking, then the nature (natura) of the undertaking, rather than I, must be blamed-for [nature] imposes the law that erroneous beginnings are unavoidable. They say that nothing is born perfect instanta neously. Yet, if those who follow me are superior in studiousness and ingenium, they perhaps will render this art of painting perfect and complete. Leon Battista Alberti On Painting, 1435
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