The Codex Leicester is currently the most expensive book in the world, showcasing sketches and notes that vividly illustrate the genius of the legendary figure, Leonardo da Vinci.
The Codex Leicester, created by Leonardo da Vinci, was written around 1508 and is one of the 30 notebooks produced throughout his life. The volume consists of 72 linen pages containing over 300 notes and detailed drawings, most of which pertain to the study of water and its movements. The entries in this notebook also explain why fossils are often found in mountainous regions, the reasons behind fossil formation, and why the moon emits light, all expressed in an engaging and artistic style.
Leonardo’s profound interest in human anatomy is also reflected in the Codex Leicester. The manuscript contains numerous sketches and notes on the structure and functions of the human body, such as drawings of the skeleton and muscles, notes on the circulatory system, and the functions of the eye.
Additionally, experts believe that da Vinci recorded studies and sketches that formed the basis of the famous painting Mona Lisa in this notebook.
Historians suggest that Leonardo wrote the Codex Leicester as a means to document and explore his thoughts and observations about the natural world. Throughout his life, Leonardo was interested in various scientific fields, including astronomy, geology, botany, and anatomy. He used art as a tool to explore and communicate his thoughts about the surrounding world, creating beautiful and detailed illustrations. Thus, the Codex Leicester is not only a scientific masterpiece but also holds immense historical artistic value. By creating the Codex Leicester, Leonardo became one of the researchers seeking to understand the natural world through observation and experimentation.
The Codex Leicester is on display at the Phoenix Art Museum.
Alex Bortolot, the exhibition curator at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, stated, “understanding the world both macroscopically and microscopically; the overall structure is reflected in every detail”. Leonardo da Vinci often used his knowledge of small issues to explain larger problems, connecting human patterns within a broader world. This is one reason why Leonardo made many remarkable scientific discoveries despite lacking access to modern scientific technology.
Among Leonardo da Vinci’s 30 scientific works, the book “Codex Leicester” stands out. A unique aspect of this notebook is Leonardo da Vinci’s distinctive mirror writing. This backward writing from right to left can only be read using a mirror. Many believe he did this to keep his research secret, while another theory suggests that mirror writing is a personal characteristic of his.
The Codex Leicester is currently the most expensive book in the world.
The notebook was discovered in 1690 in the hands of a sculptor in Milan, who was studying the works of Da Vinci. Later, in 1717, it was acquired by Count Thomas Coke, the first Earl of Leicester, and the notebook was named “Codex Leicester”. More than two centuries later, the notebook was sold at auction for $5.12 million to Armand Hammer, an art collector and extremely wealthy industrialist. In 1994, the notebook set a record as the most expensive book in the world at auction when Bill Gates paid a staggering $30.8 million to acquire it. Since then, the notebook has been lent by the billionaire to museums from Sydney to Tokyo and Dublin for display.
Currently, an exhibition of the Codex Leicester is taking place at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, exploring broader perspectives on artistic design.
