Memorandum of the Books Composing the Treatise on Painting
The compiler's inventory of the manuscript pieces in Leonardo's hand, each keyed by a mark
This memorandum, headed 'Memoria et notta', records all the pieces of books in Leonardo's own hand that together make up the present Treatise on Painting. It then begins an itemized list: the whole book, several further books, and a 'book of shadow and light' with another of the same kind. In the right margin each entry is followed by an identifying symbol or letter-mark (drawn but not transcribed here), so that the source manuscripts can be told apart.
On this page
An inventory of Leonardo's manuscript books
The note announces itself as a 'memorandum and note of all the pieces of books in Leonardo's hand' that compose the present Treatise on Painting. It then lists them one by one, opening with 'the whole book' and continuing with several books each described simply as 'marked'.
A book of shadow and light among the sources
Among the itemized manuscripts is a 'book of shadow and light' ('Libro d'ombra e lume'), followed by 'another of the same', pointing to Leonardo's writings on light and shade as a distinct source feeding the Treatise on Painting.
Identifying marks in the margin
To the right of each line a distinct symbol or letter is inked as a call-mark for that piece of the collection. These marks are not included in the transcription; they appear only as drawn shapes beside the list.