Page 22 - ART COLLECTION

Minuta di una relazione
di Leonardo al Senato Veneto,
c. 1499, Codice Atlantico,
f. 234v-c [638iv v]
Draft of Leonardo’s report
to the Venetian Senate,
c. 1499, Codex Atlanticus,
f. 234v-c [638iv v]

The model was no longer
needed and perhaps be-
cause it was abandoned in
the outskirts of the city,
where the foundry was
presumably located, it
was an easy target for the
Gascon cross-bow men
who destroyed it for fun
as they entered the city
in 1499. It may well be
that the mould had been
brought to a foundry
near Porta Vercellina, on
the outskirts of the city,
where the French troops
entered, near the vine-
vigna che Ludovico Sforza avrebbe regalato a Leonardo yard that Ludovico Sforza had given Leonardo in 1498.
nel 1498. È certo comunque che il duca di Ferrara sape- It is however certain that the Duke of Ferrara knew that
va bene che la forma del cavallo esisteva ancora, sebbene the mould of the horse still existed, although unused
inutilizzata e trascurata. Particolare, questo, sul quale Leo- and neglected. This was a particular to which Leonardo
nardo stesso avrebbe potuto richiamare la sua attenzione. himself might have drawn his attention. Unfortunately,
Purtroppo l’iniziativa ebbe esito negativo. the initiative was unsuccessful.

Il ritorno a Firenze The return to Florence

UN DEPOSITO di 50 fiorini d’oro effettuato da Leonar- A DEPOSIT of 50 gold florins made by Leonardo in his
do sul suo conto presso lo Spedale di S. Maria Nuova sta account at the Spedale of Santa Maria Nuova indicates that
a indicare che il 24 aprile 1500 era già a Firenze. Per tutto by April 24, 1500 he was already in Florence. For the whole
il 1500, e fino al tempo del suo trasferimento in Romagna of the year 1500, and up until the time of his move to Ro-

20

Madonna dei Fusi_s.indd 20 18/07/14 22:21