Sheet Discussing Water Motion and the Moon's Appearance from Codex Leicester by Leonardo da Vinci

(Original Caption) : Sheet 7A: Continuing his water studies, Leonardo here relies on observation and analysis of effect to explain the causes of what he sees. His faith in the geometric structure of the universe underlies his scientific method. 30v SYNOPSIS: The configuration that interests Leonardo here is the spiral, or corkscrew. Traditionally associated with the movement of fire, which twists upward, seeking its own natural level, the serpentine form was also valued artistically as the most graceful of figurative movements. Leonardo's figures and exquisite draftsmanship were particularly identified by his contemporaries with the grace of serpentine movement, which was always associated with the upward movement of the human soul seeking grace, according to a broad neo-Platonic tradition. Here scientific cause, not neo-Platonic allegory, commands Leonardo's attention, but the moder (Photo by Seth Joel/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images)