Leonardo is one of the great men, not only of the Italian Renaissance, but one of the great men in the history of the world. While his name is usually connected only with his paintings, he was a broad-minded investigator in all departments of science. A study of his character is therefore of especial interest and importance.

It is a work by Professor Freud applying the principles of psychoanalytic interpretation to the analysis and understanding of a great man by an investigation and interpretation of the historical facts which can be collected regarding him, together with a study of his artistic productions.

The book is a fascinating study of the mechanisms by which this result was brought about and as such is valuable both as a study in character and as an application of psychoanalytic principles.