Since the first edition of this volume until today, over two hundred new books and studies regarding the life and works of Leonardo da Vinci have been published. The most significant of these are examined here.

In the "large" edition of this book, released in 2003, I attempted to address issues specifically concerning the function of Leonardo's works, their significance within the various genres they belong to, and their political iconographic symbolism. I have adopted the same approach in various other essays of mine over the past three years.

The fundamental idea that Leonardo da Vinci was a pre-modern artist-craftsman who struggled for almost his entire life for the autonomy of his art, is the subject of another essay.

In conclusion, I must mention the increasing attempts that have been made, especially in recent years, to attribute second and third-rate paintings to Leonardo's hand. In this regard, I note that the list of Leonardo's paintings presented in this volume is definitive. Although works born from Leonardo's students may circulate in the art market, the likelihood of finding an original work from his hand is minimal. The last genuine painting by Leonardo that was sold on the open market was the "Portrait of Ginevra de' Benci" - and it will remain the last for a long time to come.