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Mold Ravages Da Vinci Codex

Damage wrought for lack of restoration funding

By Jane Yager,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 22, 2007 8:04 AM CST

(Newser) – An onslaught of red, black, and purple mold has turned the Codex Atlanticus, the largest collection of writings and drawings by Leonardo Da Vinci, into a "precious sick patient," the Times of London reports. The mold, discovered by an American scholar, is attacking 12,000 codex sheets at a Milan library for lack of restoration funds.

The problem arose because visiting scholars who leaf through the pages expose them to humidity and the atmosphere. The Codex, dating from 1478 to 1519, features sketches of some of Da Vinci's most brilliant inventions. A group of Italian scholars have carried out minimal emergency restoration at their own expense; no funding exists for more extensive and costly restoration.

Milan, ITALY: Visitors view the Codice Trivulziano, better known as the Da Vinci Codex, writen by Leonardo Da Vinci between 1487 and 1490, on exhibition 23 March 2006 at the Sforzesco Castle in Milan. AFP PHOTO/Filippo MONTEFORTE (Photo credit should read FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images)
Milan, ITALY: Visitors view the Codice Trivulziano, better known as the Da Vinci Codex, writen by Leonardo Da Vinci between 1487 and 1490, on exhibition 23 March 2006 at the Sforzesco Castle in Milan....   (Getty Images)
Sofia, BULGARIA: The famous Codex Vaticano Urbinate 1270, also known as Leonardo da Vinci's Treatise on Painting, and considered to be the archetype of the Italian artist's 'Treatise on Painting' is on display in the Bulgarian National Library in Sofia, 18 September 2006, as part of exihibition called 'Leonardo da...
Sofia, BULGARIA: The famous Codex Vaticano Urbinate 1270, also known as Leonardo da Vinci's Treatise on Painting, and considered to be the archetype of the Italian artist's 'Treatise on Painting' is on...   (Getty Images)
Milan, ITALY: Two girls peer through a glass at the Codice Trivulziano better known as the Da Vinci Codex, writen by Leonardo Da Vinci between 1487 and 1490, on exhibition 23 March 2006 at the Sforzesco Castle in Milan. AFP PHOTO/Filippo MONTEFORTE (Photo credit should read FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images)
Milan, ITALY: Two girls peer through a glass at the Codice Trivulziano better known as the Da Vinci Codex, writen by Leonardo Da Vinci between 1487 and 1490, on exhibition 23 March 2006 at the Sforzesco...   (Getty Images)
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