Squaring the circle with lunes, and a note on a craftsman
Circles, squares and rectangles divided into equal lunes, with a memo about work for the Magnifico
A geometry sheet of circles, squares and rectangles cut into lunes (lunole) and curved equal parts, exploring the value and quadrature of these figures. Leonardo labels a square that composes within itself the value of four lunes equal to two, and a rectangle whose corner lune is perforated. A small drawing between two circles is captioned a Roman chariot. In the lower-right corner an unrelated personal memo instructs that a craftsman who keeps a shop and works for everyone should be paid by the piece and give the Magnifico's work priority.
On this page
Dividing figures into equal curved parts
Leonardo divides a lettered figure a b c d into four equal curvilinear parts, each squarable by itself, and states that a b c d is worth n. A related note gives the value of four equal lunes and a rectangle a b c d whose lune d is perforated.
A square worth four lunes
For the figure lettered n e c p a o b d, Leonardo argues that this square composes within itself the value of four lunes similar to the two: e and d are two, and the two middle portions with the four corners of the square make two more, totalling four. He adds that a b may be taken from within and the like restored on the outside.
Memo on a craftsman and the Magnifico
The lower-right corner carries a working memo, unrelated to the geometry: Leonardo has confirmed that the man works for everyone and keeps a shop for the public, so he does not want him working for him on retainer but paid for the pieces he makes. Because the man holds a shop and house from the Magnifico, he should be bound to put the Magnifico's work before all others.
