CHAPTER LXX

How to Locate in Order All the Bodies Drawn in Perspective in This Book, as Well as Their Physical Models According to Their Public Table.

Because where there is no order there is always confusion (ubi non est ordo, ibi est confusio), for the full understanding of this Compendium—and so that Your Ducal Highness may readily find both the perspective figures drawn on the plane pages of this book and the three-dimensional material models (le forme materiali) according to their public table—you shall observe the following method:

Concordance of Marginal Roman Numerals, Leonardo’s Perspective Plates, and the Suspended Physical Models

  1. In the Text Chapters: As you read above in the chapters treating of the creation and formation of these bodies (from Chapter XLVIII onward), look in the margin of the page for the number marked in ancient Roman numerals (per abaco antico), proceeding in order: I, II, III, IV, V, and so on up to the end (LIX / LX).

  2. In Leonardo da Vinci’s Perspective Plates: Seek that exact same Roman numeral in the section of full-page plates (Appendix II: Plates I–LIX), where all the said bodies are drawn in order, matching I to I, II to II, III to III, and so forth in all of them. And each plate presents that body drawn upon the plane with all the perfection of perspective, as only our Leonardo da Vinci knows how to do (facto in piano con tutta perfectione de prospectiva commo sa el nostro Lionardo Vinci)!

  3. In the Suspended Physical Models (*Forme Materiali*): You shall likewise seek those same Roman numerals among the material models of the said bodies, suspended by their cords (pendenti nel suo cordiglio), each bearing a parchment scroll (vn breve) fixed between two beads of black amber (fra doi ambre negre) inscribed with its number and its name in Greek and in Latin, referring each model to the Roman numeral where it is treated in the text.

In this way Your Ducal Highness will have their complete disposition both in perspective drawing and in physical form—models which truly deserved to be wrought not of humble material (non de vil materia, as poverty forced me to make them, out of wooden laths and pasteboard), but adorned with precious metal and fine gems (de pretioso metallo e fine gemme)! Yet Your Ducal Highness will look upon the geometric effect and the devoted heart of your perpetual servant.