Eternal Gardens Journal

Da Vinci Notes 19: Engines for the Duke, and the Most Bestial Madness

I offered the Lord Ludovico ten engines of war and only then a painting. Here is what I promised, what I drew, what was never built, and what I refused to write down.

Leonardo's letter to Ludovico Sforza, the giant crossbow of 42 braccia, the armoured car and its gearing, and why he called war a most bestial madness.

Leonardo da Vinci · November 8, 2026 · 30 min