What Happened in 1485

Ghirlandaio and his Workshop Paint the Tornabuoni Chapel Frescos

The main chapel of Santa Maria Novella was first frescoed in the mid-14th century by Andrea Orcagna. Remains of these paintings were found during... Read more

Leonardo da Vinci Sketches the Design for a Giant Crossbow

Leonardo’s project for a giant crossbow is found in a number of sheets in the Codex Atlanticus and Fol 149r shows the most well-defined and... Read more

Leonardo da Vinci Sketches the Design for a Scythed Chariot

The scythed chariot is potentially one of the most lethal battlefield weapons and has ancient origins, though Leonardo noted their propensity to... Read more

Leonardo da Vinci Sketches the Design for a Tank

Leonardo probably drew this model of a war machine for a presentation to Ludovico il Moro, “The Moor”, Duke of Milan, around 1485. The drawing in... Read more