As creator of the Gioconda and the Last Supper, inventor of flying machines and natural scientist, Leonardo da Vinci is considered the model of Renaissance man. The present publication offers a comprehensive survey of all aspects of the artistic and scientific oeuvre of his universal talent. In a catalogue section all surviving paintings attributed to Leonardo are reproduced in color and discussed in scholarly essays. A selection of master drawings from his famous sketchbooks illustrates Leonardo's methods of studying nature, technology and human anatomy. The detailed discussions of works by Leonardo and his followers, hundreds of illustrations and the introductory essay by the leading Leonardo specialist Carlo Pedretti make this lavish book the most up-to-date monograph on the complete oeuvre of the artist. (German edition out of print)