The Naviglio of San Cristoforo, Milan (1509)
Coloured perspective study of the canal's discharge sluices, dated 3 May 1509
A pen, ink and coloured-wash drawing in perspective of the Naviglio (canal) of San Cristoforo at Milan, inscribed as made on the 3rd of May 1509. The long masonry canal wall is shown with three openings, from each of which a chute of blue-washed water discharges down into channels below, and a separate sluice detail is drawn at the lower right. The single line of text names the site and gives the precise date of the study.
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Discharge sluices of the San Cristoforo canal
Three outlets along the canal's flank release sheets of water (rendered in blue wash) that fall away in broad chutes, illustrating how the canal is drained or its level regulated. The caption identifies this as the Naviglio of San Cristoforo of Milan and dates it to 3 May 1509.
Sluice detail at lower right
A separate, smaller study at the lower right shows a single sluice or gate structure with its water channel drawn in section and plan, complementing the large perspective view of the canal works.