Sluice gate seen from the front and in plan
Red-chalk design for a canal sluice closed by a sliding shutter gate
In red chalk Leonardo draws a canal sluice closed by a sliding gate (serranda), shown in two views. The upper sketch gives the boxed frame of the gate in front elevation; the lower sketch gives its plan, with a central post and arms reaching out to the corners. The sheet carries the drawing alone, without accompanying notes.
On this page
Front elevation of the sluice gate
The upper drawing shows the sluice gate seen from the front as a rectangular framed structure, the boxed housing within which the shutter would rise and fall to control the flow of water.
Plan of the gate with radiating arms
The lower drawing gives the same sluice in plan, with a central vertical member and lever-like arms extending diagonally to the corners, each ending in a small block. It sets out the mechanism that would work the shutter.