15thcentury

City of Ladies: modern artists are redefining a 15th-century call to arms by an early French feminist

City of Ladies: modern artists are redefining a 15th-century call to arms by an early French feminist: Christine in her study with the three virtuous ladies as the construction of the city begins. London, British Library, Harley MS 4431, fol. 290r Alone am I and alone I wish to be. So runs the opening line …

Leonardo da Vinci’s helicopter: 15th-century flight of fancy led to modern aeronautics

Leonardo da Vinci’s helicopter: 15th-century flight of fancy led to modern aeronautics: Humankind has always had a desire to fly. Flight may be normal for us now, thanks to the efforts of numerous engineers and scientists, but in the 15th century it existed only in myths such as Daedalus and Icarus – which wasn’t that …