Why people recommend it
A Treatise on Painting by Leonardo da Vinci, compiled and edited by John William Brown from the artist's private notes, collects practical advice and philosophical musings on the art of painting. The Cultural Tutor appeared on the How I Write podcast in August 2023 and recommended that everyone read the collection. The guest explained that Leonardo da Vinci originally wrote a wealth of advice for young painters in his private notebooks, which his heir Francesca Melzi later collected and published. The recommendation framed the text as a wonderful reservoir of wisdom from one of history's greatest polymaths, encouraging modern readers and creators to engage directly with the scattered notes and profound artistic insights preserved within the historical treatise.
Who recommended it
- The Cultural Tutor Recommended
The Cultural Tutor — 1 mention
“Well, in his private notebooks, he wrote a load of advice for young painters. And then his heir, Franchesca Meltzy, who collected Da Vinci's notes, takes it and publishes this scattered advice in a treaties called on painting. Wonderful. Everyone should read it.”