The Shadow Drawing: How Science Taught Leonardo How to Paint
The Shadow Drawing: How Science Taught Leonardo How to Paint is Francesca Fiorani’s interpretation of how Leonardo da Vinci’s early interest in optics and science shaped his art. The Kindle edition presents a 449-page account linking his paintings, notebooks, and ambitions as an author.
At a glance
- Argues that Leonardo’s scientific interests began early, rather than emerging only later in his life.
- Focuses on his study of optics and its connection to his effort to depict the inner lives of his subjects.
- Revisits Leonardo’s paintings and notebooks through an art-and-science perspective.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Offers a focused interpretation of Leonardo’s art and scientific thinking rather than treating them as separate phases.
- Kindle listing includes accessibility and reading features such as screen-reader support, Word Wise, and Page Flip.
Technical specifications
11 specifications| Publisher | Farrar, Straus and Giroux |
|---|---|
| Publication date | November 17, 2020 |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 449 pages |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0374715298 |
| File size | 32.6 MB |
|---|---|
| Screen Reader | Supported |
| Enhanced typesetting | Enabled |
| X-Ray | Enabled |
| Word Wise | Enabled |
| Page Flip | Enabled |
What to know before buying
- This is an interpretive biography and art-history study, not a practical painting-instruction book. The listed digital reading features apply to the Kindle edition.
Who is it for?
A good fit for
- Readers interested in Leonardo da Vinci’s life, paintings, and notebooks.
- Readers exploring the connections between Renaissance art, optics, and science.
- Art-history readers who want a perspective centered on Leonardo’s intellectual development.
Less suited to
- Readers seeking step-by-step painting lessons or a technical manual for practicing artists.
- Readers looking primarily for a visual art book, since the listing describes a text-focused Kindle edition.
Customer reviews on Amazon
- 5 stars
70% 70% - 4 stars
19% 19% - 3 stars
3% 3% - 2 stars
8% 8% - 1 star
0% 0%
Aggregate ratings lean positive, with most recorded ratings in the top two star categories, but some lower ratings are also present. Without customer-comment evidence, the ratings do not establish what readers liked or disliked. For a book whose appeal depends on its interpretation of Leonardo’s art and science, buyers should judge it by that subject focus rather than assuming a particular reading experience.
Frequently asked questions
What is The Shadow Drawing about?
Francesca Fiorani presents Leonardo da Vinci’s early engagement with science, especially optics, and how it informed his artistic aims and his approach to painting.
Is this a painting guide?
No. The listing describes a biography and art-history interpretation of Leonardo’s work and ideas, not practical painting instructions.
What reading features are listed for the Kindle edition?
The listing says screen-reader support, enhanced typesetting, X-Ray, Word Wise, and Page Flip are enabled.
How long is the book?
The Kindle product details list a print length of 449 pages.
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