Leonardo da Vinci and Armenian architecture

Leonardo da Vinci, the brilliant figure of the Renaissance, was an admirer of Armenian art, as shown by his “Armenian letters”, included in the Codex Atlanticus manuscript. His sketches brought from Armenia suggest that he was one of the first to adopt the techniques of Armenian architecture, in particular the form of domed structures. In the opinion of Kostan Zarian, it was under his influence that Bramante abandoned the Gothic style and adopted the principles of Armenian architecture, which later gave a new direction to the construction of St Peter's Basilica.

Leonardo admired Armenian medieval miniature painting. A number of researchers, including Mac Fordi, Richter, Climente Fusaro, Josef Strzygowski and others, consider his descriptions of the mountains and the upper Euphrates to be documentary. In his notes Leonardo constantly mentions Armenia, and he intended to set down his impressions of Armenia in a separate book.

The image is a painted portrait of an elderly man with long white hair and beard, wearing a black beret, with a chain on his chest.