Treatise on Painting (Leonardo Da Vinci)

Two Editorial Treasures: The English Editions of Leonardo da Vinci’s Treatise on Painting

The genius of Leonardo da Vinci was not only expressed in painting, architecture, or engineering, but also in his ability to observe, analyze, and teach. His celebrated Trattato della pittura—a compilation of notes and lessons on painting prepared by his disciples after his death—became one of the most influential works of artistic theory in Europe.

Over the centuries, this treatise was translated and published in several languages, but two English editions stand out as milestones in the history of books and art: those of 1721 and 1835.

In 1721, London witnessed the publication of the first English translation of Leonardo’s treatise, issued by J. Senex and W. Taylor. This edition not only introduced his ideas to English-speaking readers for the first time, but also included 35 original engravings, illustrating concepts of anatomy, perspective, light, shadow, and composition.

Intended for both artists and scholars—as well as the curious minds of the early eighteenth century fascinated by the union of art and science—this book is today a true collector’s gem, where Leonardo’s words meet the baroque elegance of English print culture in an object of extraordinary historical value.

More than a century later, in 1835, the publisher J. B. Nichols and Son released a new edition of the Treatise on Painting, translated by the painter John Francis Rigaud. Unlike the earlier version, this one not only presented Leonardo’s teachings but also expanded them with a full biography, a catalogue of his most notable works, and a more academic, scholarly context.

The 1835 edition thus offered a broader reading experience, ideal for researchers, art historians, and anyone wishing to understand Leonardo both as an artist and as a man. Though less visually striking than the 1721 edition, its editorial depth makes it an essential tool for Leonardo studies.