| _5 Theatrical machines |
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| _2xx Macchine da guerra |
| 501 ~ Self-propelling cart ~ Codex Atlanticus, f. 812r (1478-1480) |
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501_ca812r_01
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501_ca812r_02
501_ca812r_03
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This famous drawing of the self-propelling cart is, in fact, a complex model for an automaton, a mechanism to provide theatrical effects. The drawing at the top is an unfinished first draft. In the center is the view from above. The vehicle can be programmed and is wound up by the mainsprings; the “crossbows” are auxiliary systems and the small lower wheels represent the escapement mechanism. The details surrounding the central drawing are studies of braking systems and fixtures for the auxiliary systems.
On-line self-propelling cart
http://brunelleschi.imss.fi.it/automobile/index.htm
Virtual exibit
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| 502 ~ Theatrical Staging fo Orpheus ~ Codex Arundel, f. 231v (1507) |
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502_ca50r_01
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502_ca50r_02
502_ca50r_03 |
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Leonardo designed many theatrical devices. In this project ingenious stage sets appeared during the theatrical scenes. This particular set was used in staging Orpheus.
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| 503 ~
Room of mirrors ~ Manuscript
B, f. 28r |
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503_mB28r_01
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Si tratta di un dispositivo che permetteva di studiare i segreti della riflessione multipla
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| 504 ~
Mechanical Lion ~ Codex
Madrid I, f. 90v and 91r |
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504_MI90v91r_01
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504_MI90v91r_02
504_MI90v91r_03 |
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However, what we now consider as the quintessential
robot, a lion able to walk unaided and whose chest opens up, is not
the work of Leonardo. Not one of his drawings or notes has been found
makes any reference to it. All the reports are by later commentators.
Vasari wrote:
“ In due course, the King of France came to Milan and when Leonardo was
asked to make something fantastic he built a lion that could walk a few steps,
then opened its chest, which was filled with lilies”.
Describing the banquet on 5 October 1600 for the wedding of Maria de’ Medici
and Henry IV, King of France, Michelangelo Buonarroti the Younger referred
to the appearance of a lion which:
“ began to move, and rising in two movements, opened its chest, which was
seen to be full of lilies”.
Buonarroti pointed out that this was:
“ a similar idea to the one Leonardo da Vinci used in Lyons on behalf of
the Florentine nation when King Francis came to visit”.
In 1584 Giovan Paolo Lomazzo describes what he learned from Francesco Melzi,
Leonardo’s favorite pupil who inherited all his manuscripts:
“ once in front of Francis I, King of France, he made a wonderfully
and cleverly made lion walk from his place in the room; it then stopped and opened
its chest which was filled with lilies and various other flowers”.
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| 505 ~
Robot-Soldier ~ Codex
Atlanticus, f. 579r , 1077r,
1021r, 1021v |
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505_CA579r_01
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505_CA579r_02
505_CA579r_03 |
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Among the vast number of projects of Leonardo,
there is a "robot-soldier" that has entered into the common imagination.
Studies of the subjects mention that manuscripts relating to Leonardo's
idea for the robot are in the Codex Atlanticus, specifically folio 579r.
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