Paper
Name Class Date

Leonardo da Vinci, Codex Trivulzianus 2162, p. 11., Archivio Storico Civico e Biblioteca Trivulziana. Public domain. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

The facts

Artist
Leonardo da Vinci originaluniqueart.com/en/artists/leonardo-da-vinci/
Artist’s dates
1452 – 1519
Original size
20 x 14 cm
Movement
High Renaissance The brief peak when balance, depth and anatomy came together — Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo.
Held at
Archivio Storico Civico e Biblioteca Trivulziana originaluniqueart.com/en/museums/archivio-storico-civico-e-biblioteca-trivulziana-milan/
Artistic style
High Renaissance
Influences
Verrocchio
Notable elements or techniques
Sfumato, Anatomical Illustration
Subject or theme
Human Anatomy

In context

Codex Trivulzianus 2162, p. 11. — Leonardo da Vinci

How big is it?

The original measures 20 × 14 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.

When might this have been painted?

  1. 1450
  2. 1460
  3. 1470
  4. 1480
  5. 1490
  6. 1500
  7. 1510

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 67 at death.

Shaded: the lifetime of Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) every dated painting, decade by decade

First works: up to 1487 Main working years: 1487–1506 Late works: from 1506

Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them

This record has no exact year on file — using the artist's lifetime and the work's style, what decade would you guess?

Compare with

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: originaluniqueart.com/en/art/similar/leonardo-da-vinci-codex-trivulzianus-2162-p-11-DARA2P-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Putty #cecfc1

    Catalogued palette

    • #CECFC1
    • #020202
    • #C0BFAB
    • #696754

    These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour

    Palette
    Neutrals The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Putty
    Intensity
    Balanced How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Statement How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Unified Palette How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Brilliant How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Muted How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Where in the world is this painting looked at?

    • under 1%
    • 1–3%
    • 3–8%
    • 8–20%
    • 20% and over
    This painting alone has too few recorded visitors to map, so the plate reads every work by Leonardo da Vinci over the last twelve months — 109 countries in all. Where these figures come from

    The ten leading countries

    1. 1 Italy 24.7%
    2. 2 France 22.1%
    3. 3 China 12.1%
    4. 4 Spain 11.3%
    5. 5 United States of America 3.9%
    6. 6 Germany 2.1%
    7. 7 Hong Kong 2.1%
    8. 8 Singapore 2.1%
    9. 9 Japan 1.9%
    10. 10 South Korea 1.3%
    11. · 99 other countries 16.4%

    Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.

    The 20 most looked-at works by Leonardo da Vinci

    1. 1 Mona Lisa (La Gioconda), 1519 43.9%
    2. 2 Vitruvian Man 7.4%
    3. 3 The Last Supper, 1495 4.1%
    4. 4 Lady with an ermine, Czart, 1490 2.5%
    5. 5 The Last Supper, 1495 1.8%
    6. 6 The Baptism of Christ, 1475 1.8%
    7. 7 Annunciation, 1472 1.6%
    8. 8 Lady with an Ermine, 1490 1.4%
    9. 9 The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne, 1513 1.3%
    10. 10 The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne, 1510 1.2%
    11. 11 The Last Supper, 1497 1.1%
    12. 12 Salvator Mundi, 1500 1.0%
    13. 13 Saint John the Baptist, 1515 0.6%
    14. 14 Virgin of the Rocks - London, 1486 0.5%
    15. 15 Baptism of Christ, 1475 0.5%
    16. 16 Portrait of an Unknown Woman (La Belle Ferroniere), 1490 0.5%
    17. 17 Madonna Litta, 1490 0.5%
    18. 18 La belle Ferronière, 1490 0.4%
    19. 19 Portrait of Ginevra de' Benci, 1474 0.4%
    20. 471 Codex Trivulzianus 2162, p. 11. this painting 0.0%

    Together these works take 72.5% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 548 works by this artist, of which 477 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 471 of them, with 0.0% of that attention. The same counts, month by month

    Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.

    About this artwork

    Codex Trivulzianus 2162, p. 11. — Leonardo da Vinci

    Codex Trivulzianus 2162, p. 11: A Window into Leonardo’s Anatomical Vision

    The Codex Trivulzianus 2162, p. 11 stands as a singular testament to Leonardo da Vinci's multifaceted genius—a page meticulously transcribed from an unknown manuscript that offers a glimpse beyond the celebrated portraits and frescoes for which he is primarily remembered. Captured in a striking photograph, this image presents a dense expanse of handwritten text, punctuated by a detailed depiction of a human figure at the upper left corner. The composition immediately draws the eye, prompting contemplation about Leonardo’s fascination with the intricacies of human anatomy and his relentless pursuit of scientific understanding interwoven with artistic expression.

    Subject Matter: The page's text appears to be focused on anatomical observations—likely sketches or notes documenting detailed studies of musculature and skeletal structure. This aligns perfectly with Leonardo’s groundbreaking investigations into human physiology, driven by a desire to accurately represent the human form in his art.

    Style & Technique: Executed in elegant calligraphy, the text demonstrates Leonardo's mastery of visual communication alongside his intellectual prowess. The meticulous attention to detail—evident in each carefully spaced word—reflects his unwavering commitment to precision and accuracy, qualities that permeate throughout his artistic oeuvre.

    Historical Context: Produced during Leonardo’s formative years (circa 1480s), this Codex exemplifies the humanist spirit of the Renaissance, where scholars and artists alike sought to revive classical learning and embrace empirical observation as pathways to knowledge. It speaks to a broader intellectual movement concerned with dissecting the natural world and capturing its essence in artistic representations.

    Symbolism: The inclusion of the human figure is particularly significant. Leonardo’s anatomical studies weren't merely exercises in scientific curiosity; they were imbued with symbolic meaning—representing humanity’s connection to God, mirroring the divine proportions found throughout nature, and serving as a foundation for achieving artistic perfection.

    Emotional Impact: Viewing this page evokes a profound sense of wonder at Leonardo’s intellectual ambition and his ability to translate scientific insight into aesthetically compelling visual form. It reminds us that Leonardo's genius extended far beyond painting; he was a visionary who sought to comprehend the universe itself, leaving an enduring legacy for generations of artists and thinkers.

    Exploring Leonardo’s Anatomical Method

    Leonardo’s anatomical investigations were revolutionary for their time. Unlike previous dissections that often lacked rigor and accuracy, he approached cadavers with a methodical discipline—carefully documenting every muscle, bone, and nerve with meticulous sketches and detailed notes. This dedication to observation informed his artistic practice, allowing him to imbue his figures with unprecedented realism and emotional depth. The Codex Trivulzianus 2162 serves as tangible evidence of this transformative method – a window into the mind of one of history’s greatest innovators.

    A Reflection of Renaissance Humanism

    The Codex Trivulzianus 2162 embodies the core tenets of Renaissance humanism—a philosophical movement that championed reason and empirical observation as instruments for understanding humanity and its place in the cosmos. Leonardo's anatomical studies were not simply about replicating physical form; they represented a broader quest to grasp the underlying principles governing life itself, mirroring the humanist preoccupation with exploring the potential of human intellect and creativity.

    Bringing Leonardo’s Vision Home

    WahooArt offers exceptional reproductions of Codex Trivulzianus 2162, p. 11—allowing you to experience the brilliance of Leonardo da Vinci's anatomical explorations in stunning detail. Crafted with archival inks on premium canvas, these hand-painted reproductions capture the essence of this iconic artwork, transporting its intellectual depth and artistic beauty into your living space. Explore our collection today!

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Leonardo da Vinci

    Born in Vinci, Italy

    The Boy from Vinci

    In the quiet hills near the village of Vinci, a child named Lionardo di ser Piero da Vinci entered a world that would never truly contain his restless mind. Born to a Florentine notary and a peasant woman, his very beginnings were marked by an unconventional path, as his illegitimacy meant he was not destined to follow in his father's legal footsteps. Instead, this freedom allowed him to wander into the workshop of Andrea del Verrocchio in Florence. It was here, amidst the scent of oils and the dust of marble, that a young apprentice learned that seeing was the highest form of understanding. He did not merely study the brush; he studied the way light clings to a curved surface and how shadow dissolves the edges of a limb.

    His early years in Florence were defined by this intense observation. He absorbed the technical rigors of metalworking, carpentry, and drawing, building a foundation that merged the physical with the cerebral. While others sought only to replicate what they saw, he sought to understand the mechanics behind it. This period of growth was not marked by a sudden burst of fame, but by a slow, methodical accumulation of knowledge that would later allow him to bridge the gap between the artist's eye and the scientist's inquiry.

    The Milanese Years and the Pursuit of Motion

    When the winds of political change blew toward Milan, Leonardo followed the service of Ludovico Sforza. This move transformed him from a talented painter into a multifaceted presence within the ducal court. He arrived not merely as an artist, but as an engineer and designer, tasked with creating fortifications and even theatrical stage sets. It was during this long residency in Milan that he began to grapple with the profound drama of human interaction. In the refectory of Santa Maria delle Grazie, he applied his observations of psychology to a large-scale fresco, capturing the precise, heavy moment of betrayal within a group of apostles.

    His mind during these years wandered far beyond the walls of the monastery. He filled notebooks with sketches of flying machines, advanced weaponry, and hydraulic systems, driven by a desire to map the hidden laws of nature. Yet, his ambitions often outpaced his ability to finish. A great equestrian statue, intended to honor the Sforza family, remained a dream of clay that was eventually shattered by invading French forces. This pattern of unfinished greatness followed him; he was a man who often found more satisfaction in the discovery of a principle than in the completion of a canvas.

    The Final Light in France

    A return to Florence brought with it a period of profound refinement. It was here that he worked on the portrait of a woman whose subtle, enigmatic expression would later haunt the halls of history. Through his use of sfumato, a technique where colors and tones blend so softly that they appear like smoke, he removed the harsh outlines of the world, creating an atmosphere that felt alive with breath and movement. His anatomical studies grew more precise during this time as well, fueled by his habit of dissecting cadavers to map the intricate architecture of bone and muscle.

    In his final years, under the invitation of King Francis I, Leonardo moved to the Château du Clos Lucé in France. Even as age perhaps slowed his hand, his intellect remained sharp, focused on the study of optics, geology, and botany. He died in 1519, leaving behind a legacy that was never truly finished, much like his many drawings. His life remains a singular example of what can be achieved when the boundaries between art and science are erased, proving that to truly see the world, one must be willing to study every shadow and every muscle within it.

    Museum

    Archivio Storico Civico e Biblioteca Trivulziana

    On show in Мілан, Italia

    Серце Мілана та скарби часу: Архівіо Сторіко Чівіко е Бібліотека Трівулціана

    У самому серці Мілана, під величним поглядом замку Сфорца, пульсує місце, чия історія така ж багата і сповнена мистецького життя, як і саме місто. Це – Архівіо Сторіко Чівіко е Бібліотека Трівулціана (Archivio Storico Civico e Biblioteca Trivulziana) – не просто архів або бібліотека, а радше живе скарбничка, брама у світ, де стародавні шедеври шепочуть свої таємниці крізь століття. Переступивши поріг цього місця, відчуваєш вагу часу в кожному кроці – кожен крок відкриває нові грані історії Мілана та Італійського півострова, складну мозаїку, сплетену з амбіцій, інновацій і художньої геніальності.

    Колекція вражає своїм масштабом і безцінністю. Уявіть собі, що стоїте перед кодексом Леонардо да Вінчі – незамінним вікном у розум найбільшого майстра епохи Відродження. Це не просто збірка креслень та нотаток; це відображення революційних ідей, пророчих знамень для сміливих винаходів, новаторських анатомічних досліджень та проникливих наукових спостережень. Майже відчуваєш творчу енергію, що вирувала в жилах Да Вінчі, коли він прагнув переступити межі знань і мистецтва, які ми сьогодні вважаємо само собою зрозумілими. Поряд з цим знаковим документом відкривається для нас "Божественна комедія" Данте Аліг'єрі – оригінальний рукопис, де готичне письмо танцює на пергаменті, занурюючи читача в алегоричну подорож крізь пустелі пекла, безкраї простори чистилища та райські сади. Це глибоко зворушливий досвід, що резонує з душею і нагадує про силу слова творити наше розуміння світу.

    Скарби бібліотеки: Інкунабули та історичні документи

    Але Трівулціанська бібліотека приховує в собі значно більше, ніж ці знакомі твори. Це справжній скарбниця знань, де колекція інкунабул – книг, надрукованих після 1501 року – пропонує захопливий погляд на раннє мистецтво друкарства та його революційний вплив на поширення інформації. Ці стародавні видання, часто прикрашені вишуканими мініатюрами та елегантним шрифтом, є свідченням винахідливості ренесансних друкарів – справжні твори мистецтва, створені з точністю і витонченістю, що заслуговують на захоплення. Кожна сторінка – це вікно в минуле, нагадування про невгамовну спрагу людства до знань та розуміння.

    Існують також історичні документи – листи, есе, офіційні архіви – які розповідають історію Мілана протягом століть. Кожен документ є частиною складної головоломки, що дозволяє реконструювати розвиток міста з новими та дивовижними деталями. Можна уявити драматичні події, що відбувалися всередині цих стін – інтриги при дворі, політичні союзи, мистецькі прориви – все збережено в цих тендітних документах.

    Замок Сфорца: Королівський фон

    Розташування Архівіо Сторіко Чівіко е Бібліотека Трівулціана у величному замку Сфорца не випадкове. Збудований у XV столітті герцогом Франческо Сфорца, замок надає бібліотеці відчуття значущості та урочистості. Великі брами, зубчасті мури та елегантні внутрішні двори створюють атмосферу, яка підкреслює чарівність збережених творів. Сам замок є свідченням могутності та покровительства династії Сфорца – династії, що залишила незабутній слід в історії Мілана. Прогулянка коридорами замку занурює у багатство історії та легенд, дозволяючи уявити, яким було життя всередині цих стін.

    Archivio Storico Civico e Biblioteca Trivulziana – це не просто статичний музей; це жива організація, яка постійно розвивається. Реставраційна майстерня, заснована в 1978 році, символізує відданість збереженню культурної спадщини для майбутніх поколінь. Команда експертів з пристрастю та самовідданістю працює над реставрацією стародавніх рукописів і книг, використовуючи інноваційні технології та найсучасніші матеріали у боротьбі з плином часу. Одночасно амбітний проект цифрової оцифровки робить колекції доступними для дослідників та любителів мистецтва по всьому світу, демократизуючи знання та захищаючи оригінальні твори. Це унікальне місце у світі, де минуле і сьогодення постійно зустрічаються, пропонуючи кожному можливість відкрити корені нашої культури та черпати натхнення з безсмертної краси мистецтва та знань.

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for Codex Trivulzianus 2162, p. 11.

    originaluniqueart.com/en/art/download/leonardo-da-vinci-codex-trivulzianus-2162-p-11-DARA2P-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Vinci, Leonardo da. Codex Trivulzianus 2162, p. 11.. n.d., Archivio Storico Civico e Biblioteca Trivulziana. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/leonardo-da-vinci-codex-trivulzianus-2162-p-11-DARA2P-en/
    APA
    Vinci, Leonardo da (n.d.). Codex Trivulzianus 2162, p. 11. [Painting]. Archivio Storico Civico e Biblioteca Trivulziana. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/leonardo-da-vinci-codex-trivulzianus-2162-p-11-DARA2P-en/
    Chicago
    Leonardo da Vinci. Codex Trivulzianus 2162, p. 11.. n.d. Archivio Storico Civico e Biblioteca Trivulziana. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/leonardo-da-vinci-codex-trivulzianus-2162-p-11-DARA2P-en/
    Harvard
    Vinci, Leonardo da (n.d.) Codex Trivulzianus 2162, p. 11.. Archivio Storico Civico e Biblioteca Trivulziana. Available at: https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/leonardo-da-vinci-codex-trivulzianus-2162-p-11-DARA2P-en/

    Look closely

    Codex Trivulzianus 2162, p. 11. — Leonardo da Vinci

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Our catalogue files this work under: renaissance art, leonardo da vinci, manuscript page. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    4. Look back at Mona Lisa (La Gioconda) (1519), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    5. High Renaissance: The brief peak when balance, depth and anatomy came together — Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo. Where can you see that in this work?

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

    Art quiz

    Codex Trivulzianus 2162, p. 11. — Leonardo da Vinci

    How well do you know this artwork?

    Tick one answer for each of the 5 questions below. Each has exactly one correct answer.

    1. 1. What is the artist responsible for creating?

      • A The Mona Lisa
      • B David
      • C The Last Supper
    2. 2. This Codex Trivulzianus page depicts a detailed illustration of what subject?

      • A A landscape scene
      • B Religious iconography
      • C Human anatomy
    3. 3. Leonardo da Vinci's artistic style is characterized by:

      • A Impressionism
      • B Cubism
      • C Sfumato
    4. 4. Where was Leonardo da Vinci born?

      • A Florence
      • B Rome
      • C Vicenza
    5. 5. What role did Andrea del Verrocchio play in Leonardo’s artistic development?

      • A He was Leonardo's rival.
      • B He served as Leonardo’s mentor.
      • C He commissioned Leonardo to paint The Last Supper.

    My score: ____ out of 5

    Answer key — for the teacher

    This starts a fresh printed page, so it can simply be left out of the copies.

    1B · 2C · 3C · 4C · 5B

    Check any answer against the catalogue record for this painting

    Questions & Answers

    What saturation and intensity does "Codex Trivulzianus 2162, p. 11." by Leonardo da Vinci show?

    The color of "Codex Trivulzianus 2162, p. 11." is muted in saturation and balanced in intensity.

    Where can I buy a hand-painted reproduction of "Codex Trivulzianus 2162, p. 11." by Leonardo da Vinci?

    You can order a hand-painted reproduction of "Codex Trivulzianus 2162, p. 11." by Leonardo da Vinci directly on its Hand-Painted Reproduction page: a hand-painted oil reproduction on linen canvas, made to order.

    In which movement and which era is "Codex Trivulzianus 2162, p. 11." by Leonardo da Vinci placed?

    In "Codex Trivulzianus 2162, p. 11." by Leonardo da Vinci, the High Renaissance movement meets the Renaissance era.