Leonardo da Vinci

“This book is a coherent discussion of Leonardo’s various undertakings in music, weapons design, inventions practical and fantastic from the notebooks, and of course, the paintings. Maiorino’s delicate use of Bakhtin’s concept of dialogue to encompass the complex relation of humanist/anti-humanist tendencies in Leonardo and his world is exemplary in its use of theory to illuminate practice.” —Michael Holquist, Yale University

“Maiorino gives the reader a fresh look at Leonardo that clarifies the parts of his enterprise without sacrificing the whole. Indeed, dialogism and Daedalian myth making provide a holistic grasp of Leonardo that is intuitive, explanatory, and illuminating. It is surprising and satisfying how often Maiorino is able to offer fresh insights and perspectives.” —James V. Morollo, Columbia University