The life of Leonardo da Vinci by John William Brown

During Ludovico Sforza's political gambles

It is well known that Charles the Eighth invaded Italy about the end of the autumn in 1494 and repaired to Pavia, where II Moro had prepared the most magnificent fetes and entertainments for his reception. On being informed of the King's arrival, he removed with his whole court to that place, to wait on his new friend and ally, whose good opinion was so necessary to forward his political views. Leonardo da Vinci accompanied the Duke on this occasion, and to his elegant taste was entrusted the arrangement of all the festivals given in honour of Charles's visit, as Il Moro was particularly desirous of making a favourable impression on the French court by contributing as much as possible to its amusement.

During his residence at Pavia, Leonardo, who never permitted any opportunity to escape him by which he could acquire information, determined to employ his time in studying the anatomy of the human frame under the instructions of Marc Antonio della Torre, a learned Genoese, and one of the most celebrated professors of that university. These two great men were equally pleased with each other; the professor deriving as much benefit from the correct drawings Leonardo executed to illustrate their studies, and the latter being greatly improved by the thorough knowledge of the human frame which he thus acquired. It was always Da Vinci's opinion that a perfect acquaintance with anatomy was essentially necessary to a painter, and that without it he could not hope to attain any excellence in his art, - a doctrine which he has enforced in a manuscript now existing in the Ambrosian Library at Milan.

It is necessary that a painter should be a good anatomist, that in his attitudes and gestures he may be able to design the naked parts of the human frame, according to the just rules of the anatomy of the nerves, bones, and muscles; and that in his different positions he may know what particular nerve or muscle is the cause of such a particular movement, in order that he may makc that only marked and apparent, and not all the rest, as many artists are in the habit of doing; who, that they may appear great designers, make the naked limbs stiff and without grace, so that they have more thc appearance of a bag of nuts than the human superficies, or rather more like a bundle of radishes then naked muscles.

In this manner Leonardo and his learned instructor pursued their studies together, deriving equal advantage from the exertion of their respective talents Da Vinci used to draw the naked parts of the human frame in red chalk: while his friend dcscribed them with such admirable skill, that Vasari declares he was the first who brought the science of anatomy into general repute, by rendering it plain to all. Some of these drawings are preserved in the Royal Library in London, as the celebrated Dr. Hunter, in his Course of Anatomical Lectures published in 1784, mentions having seen them, and greatly admires the precision with which they are executed, particularly in the most minute parts of the muscles. While Ludovico was using every means to ingratiate himself with the French monarch, his unfortunate nephew was confined to his bed in the same castle, which was the scene of continual festivities.

The King of France, during his residence at Pavia, went to visit Giovanni Galeazzo, who was his first cousin; but was prevented entering on any subject of importance, by the presence of Ludovico, who, under pretence of anxiety for his nephew's health, took care not to leave them alone. The young princes situation excited the greatest compassion: oppressed with sickness, and exposed to his uncle's machinations, it was impossible to suppose he would be long permitted to survive his misfortunes. The melancholy of the scene was increased by the grief of his wife, Isabella of Arragon; who was not only unhappy on account of her husband's health and the ram of her infant children, but also from the dangers that threatened her father's crown, and menaced her whole family with destruction. She threw herself to the King's feet before all his attendants, and entreated him to spare her race, and turn his arms from Naples; but, above all, to protect her helpless children.