Browse Items (55 total)

Zaccolini's treatise has four parts that discuss different theories of painting. The treatise is most noted for Zaccolini's theories on optics and vision and there how they relate to painting.

Early modern world map

Based on the traditions of the Nahua people of Mesoamerica, this manuscript includes both description and images of herbals found in the New World--what is now known as Central Mexico--that were used for various medical ailments by the Aztecs. This…

This volume documents the local flora and fauna of Dutch Surinam, specifically caterpillars, with descriptions of the each species and its habitat

A book on mathematical proportions and their applications to geometry was written in Milan between 1496 and 98 and first published in Venice.

Leonardo da Vinci had many notes on painting which were turned into a treatise after he passed away. The treatise discusses da Vinci's theories relating to optics, color, perspective and other elements of painting.

This painting shows da Vinci's theories of optics being put to use. He was one of the first painters to use optics in order to trick the viewer's eye.

Illustrated essay on the nature, cultivation, and benefits of the cochineal insect

This volume is the first systematic classification of insect species. It was published after John Ray's death.

It has been a debate for centuries whether or not Vermeer used optics to help create more realistic paintings. This work has clear signs of using a camera obscura. Using this device helps him to figure out the size of the people in relation to one…