Urban graphic representation in Leonardo da Vinci's manuscripts

Abstract

Parallel to the important Leonardo da Vinci's artistic production, the innovations established to graphic representation systems by the numerous drawings of his manuscripts, have been treated traditionally in the background. Within this broad collection of graphics, his topographical and urban maps are even less studied. Firstly, this research, analyze graphic systems of representation used in Leonardo's architectural studies. Then, it exposes its particular application to urban mapping. Perspective and orthogonal projection were already commonly used during the Renaissance period, but Leonardo improved its use by complementary mix between them, the particular development of bird's eye view, and the use of colors and intensities in order to improve the quality of altimetric data and urban elements.

Keywords

• renacimiento
• urbanismo
• cartografía
• sistemas de representación
• leonardo da vinci