Divina proportione
Divina proportione opera a tutti glingegni perspicaci e curiosi necessaria ove ciascun studioso di philosophia: prospectiva pictura, sculptura, architectura, musica, e altre mathematice: suavissima sottile e admirabile doctrina consequira: e delectarassi co[n] varie questione de secretissima scientia
Written by Luca Pacioli
Printed by A. Paganius Paganinus. (Venice; 1509).
Fifteen years after Luca Pacioli wrote the first published exposition of double-entry book-keeping as part of his celebrated work on mathematics, the Summa of 1494, he published another equally celebrated work, his De Divina Proportione, in Venice. The Divina Proportione, which deals with what may be called the mathematics of beauty, is in itself a work of beauty.
The text of the Divina Proportione is supplemented by illustrations of solid geometrical figures based on original drawings by Leonardo da Vinci, Pacioli's friend and collaborator.
This article was originally prepared by the library team in the mid-twentieth century to introduce the rare books and facsimiles in our collection to a wider audience. It is not intended as a piece of scholarly analysis and should not be read as such.
Historical Accounting Literature
The ICAEW collection of historical accounting literature currently comprises around 3,000 volumes and includes works published from the 15th century to the early 20th century. The collection includes books and journals in a variety of languages.
Find out more about the collection and its history.