Friday, January 13, 2006

Sketch Bombing in the Mechanical Renaissance












[click images for larger versions]

This 17th century sketchbook of 600+ pages is written predominantly in italian with some spanish and is online at the Library of Congress. There are hundreds of illustrations, mostly in ink but with a few watercolours. There are perhaps 50+ blank pages and the text takes up about 1/4 of the remainder.

The book covers pyrotechnia, fortress styles, geometry, archimedes screw and hydaulic machinery, bomb construction, rope and pulley mechanisms, with apparent instructions and recipes for weaponry, elements of camouflage and advisory illustrations for hiding death traps thrown in for good measure.

The name Francesco Tensini (author of La Fortificatione, 1624) is mentioned twice.

That is unfortunately the extent of my knowledge about the work. Perhaps we should ask George if he knows anything more.

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