Analysis of Leonardo Da Vinci’s Architectures through Parametric Modeling: A Method for the Digital Reconstruction of the Centrally Planned Churches Depicted in Ms. B

Abstract

Among many other themes, Leonardo da Vinci’s Manuscript B contains several drawings of centrally planned churches, some of which are represented using a plan view paired with a bird’s-eye view. The use of a bird’s-eye instead of an elevation represents an innovative depiction technique, which allows to combine the immediacy of the perspective view with the measurability of the façades, and therefore to describe the three-dimensionality of the buildings. To understand the reasons behind the use of this original technique, the edifices’ shape and classify them we decided to use 3D digital reconstruction techniques, for their ability to avoid misunderstandings in the reconstruction process and in the results. This article describes the method to create the digital models of sixteen churches. A Visual programming language (VPL) script was used as 3D base for modelling the churches achieved from a classification code expressing the aggregative rules of the churches. Then, the geometric process for the construction of the plan and its relationship with the elevation measures was studied for each church. Finally, this information was used for the completion of the 3D models, distinguishing more output variants each time there was an inconsistency between plan and perspective view, a variability of one architectural element or an uncertainty.

Evolving Perspectives in Digitizing Cultural Heritage: Novel Paradigms through Self-Built and Adaptable Equipment

“…The equipment produced underwent rigorous testing during prominent exhibitions such as "Perfecto e Virtuale. L'Uomo Vitruviano di Leonardo" [54] in 2014 or "Leonardo in Vinci, at the origin of the genius", opened at Museo Leonardiano in Vinci in 2019 and visited by more than 140,000 people, or in the same year "Leonardo, drawing anatomy", at Museum of Palazzo Poggi in Bologna (Italy), with more than 12,000 people attending and more than 100,000 when the same event lately moved to Vinci, rebranded as "Leonardo, drawing anatomy [Reloaded]" [55]. Another exhibition, "The Leonardo's anatomic drawing at the time of Salvator Mundi" is open in Vinci (24th June-23rd September 2023), hosting three more drawings by the genius we replicated with presented framework of tools [56].…”