Fourth Knot

The Fourth Knot, executed by the Italian 15th Century master Leonardo da Vinci between 1490 and 1500, is a masterful example of Renaissance printmaking and design theory. This intricate work is an engraving on laid paper, distinctive for its unusual physical construction. Rather than remaining a unified single composition, the piece was produced in five separate components, individually cut out from the single original sheet and carefully trimmed to the exact image edges. This meticulous process suggests the print served a highly functional purpose, perhaps as a specialized design reference or model for artisans.

The creation of such complex geometric and interwoven patterns was central to intellectual and artistic pursuits during the period 1401 to 1500 in Italy. Vinci, known for his diverse interests spanning science, engineering, and fine art, extensively explored intricate mathematical and ornamental designs, which he referred to generically as vinciana or "knots." These complex, unbroken interlaced motifs, which lack a definitive beginning or end, functioned as more than mere decoration; they were applied as ornamental devices for textiles, architecture, and manuscript illumination, serving also as philosophical meditations on infinity and perfect form. The relative availability of prints allowed for the crucial distribution and adaptation of these innovative Italian design concepts across the continent.

As one of a distinguished group of geometric designs attributed to Vinci, this engraving showcases the convergence of detailed technical draughtsmanship and artistic innovation prevalent in the late fifteenth century. Dated securely to the final decade of the 15th century, the work represents a period of significant experimentation in the nascent field of graphic arts. This historical print resides in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Because of its age and history, the work is often considered part of the public domain, making high-resolution images accessible for scholarly study and general appreciation of this early Renaissance masterwork.