Leonardo da Vinci ’s Codex Atlanticus, the largest collection of drawings and writings by the Renaissance master, has been infiltrated by mold, officials said Friday. The extent of any damage is not yet known to the roughly 1,120-page Codex containing his drawings and writings from 1478-1519 on topics ranging from flying machines to weapons, mathematics to botany. Mold was first identified in April 2006 by an American scholar, and confirmed by the conservation experts from the Florence-based state conservation institute, Opificio delle Pietre Dure. Until the scientific analysis is done the extent of the damage and its cause will not be identified, said the Opificio’s deputy director, Cecilia Frosinini. Frosinini said the mold could be the result of factors including exposure during any exhibition or study, or the unintended consequence of a 1968-72 restoration. Rome with models of flying machines and other contraptions made from Leonardo’s drawings in the Codex were been hugely popular. read more

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