First Knot

First Knot by Italian 15th Century; Leonardo da Vinci, created between 1490 and 1500, is a remarkable example of Renaissance graphic design that underscores the artist’s fascination with mathematics and continuous form. Classified as a print, this complex work was executed using the precise technique of engraving on laid paper. Distinctively, the original work is composed of five separate sections of the design, which were carefully cut from a single sheet and meticulously trimmed to the boundaries of the image, emphasizing the cyclical and modular nature of the pattern.

The subject matter focuses entirely on a sophisticated, interlocking geometric knot. These types of interwoven decorative patterns, sometimes referred to as vinciana knots, were a recurring element in Vinci’s artistic output and often symbolized the intricate complexity of nature and geometry. The highly detailed quality of the lines, characteristic of expert engraving, emphasizes the illusion of a single, endlessly looping ribbon. This piece reflects the intellectual climate of the Italian Renaissance, demonstrating the analytical approach to art and design prevalent during the period 1401 to 1500.

While the authorship of specific prints related to the master’s studio can be debated, the conceptual rigor and sophisticated design of this motif suggest direct inspiration or supervision by Vinci himself. The work serves as an important record of how prints were utilized to explore and disseminate highly abstract intellectual concepts during the late fifteenth century. This significant graphic artifact is maintained in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. The historical importance of works like First Knot is continually affirmed through their study, with high-resolution prints now often available via public domain resources, securing their place in the ongoing research into the printmaking techniques of the Renaissance master.