The artwork “Flying machine” by Leonardo da Vinci, dating from around 1487 and created in Milan, Italy, is a piece of early Renaissance design, made with metalpoint, ink, and paper. Its dimensions are approximately 23.5 cm by 17.6 cm. Currently, the artwork resides in the Institut de France in Paris, France. This work represents da Vinci’s advanced conceptual thinking in the engineering and aeronautics domain.
The artwork itself displays a meticulous and detailed study for an aircraft. It features a central structure that appears to house gears and mechanistic components, perhaps indicative of the movement required to propel or operate the machine. Large wings extend to either side of the frame, and the clear detail of the sketches suggests a studied effort to understand aerodynamics and movement. Noteworthy are the annotations in Leonardo’s characteristic mirror writing, which add a layer of depth to the illustration, inviting closer inspection and contemplation of the artist’s thought processes. The meticulous attention to detail and mechanical understanding exemplifies da Vinci’s profound insight into both art and science, blending them seamlessly in his works.