7The Royal Collection holds the finest collection of Leonardo da Vinci's drawings in existence. This groundbreaking book explores a substantial number of Leonardo's most celebrated works, drawn from the Collection, in unprecedented detail. Using specialist microscopic photography, this volume opens up a fresh understanding and appreciation of Leonardo's innovative techniques and presents new information on his materials, uncovering features previously invisible to the naked eye. In addition, infrared images bring to light the artist's first touches (including Leonardo's own thumbprint) and under-drawings, many of which have not been seen in five hundred years. This stunning volume presents a totally new way to appreciate the genius of Leonardo da Vinci.