Bruschi, commissioned by the Leonardo3 Museum – The World of Leonardo in Milan, has brought to life an extraordinary work inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s famous drawing: the Mazzocchio. This intricate structure, made up of 32 octagonal sections and 512 individual pieces, was unveiled to the public on November 14, 2024, during an exclusive preview at the milanese museum.
The Leonardo3 Museum, a one-of-a-kind museum dedicated to the Renaissance master, artist, and inventor, located in the stunning setting of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan, approached Bruschi at the end of 2023. The museum requested Bruschi’s collaboration with the Leonardo3 Research Center team to realize the project. After a year of work, the masterpiece was completed, allowing museum visitors to witness the realization of the maestro’s vision.
The Leonardo3 Museum reveals the true genius of Leonardo da Vinci as an artist and inventor through groundbreaking reconstructions of his machines and restorations of his paintings. Bruschi was chosen for this exceptional project due to its technical expertise and capabilities, which proved essential in bringing this extraordinary piece to fruition.
Bruschi was selected by the museum to manufacture the individual components of the structure based on designs created by the Leonardo3 Museum Study Center, which then reproduced the master’s work in its workshops.
The design of the Mazzocchio, also known as a “hood-shaped” structure, served as the foundation for a headpiece commonly worn in Renaissance Europe. More importantly, it has fascinated and challenged artists, designers, and engineers for centuries, inviting them to explore its unique perspective. Notable examples include the illustrations of Piero della Francesca and the intarsia work of Federico da Montefeltro.
Copyright of images: Leonardo3 Museum – All rights reserved.
The Mazzocchio’s structure is highly complex. It represents an axonometric projection, where each plane of the toroidal solid, composed of octagonal sections, forms a hollow structure that reveals the layers beneath it. Essentially, it is a polygonal ring made up of a series of hexagonal or octagonal prismatic sections, joined to form obtuse angles throughout.
For the first time in history, Bruschi, in collaboration with the Leonardo3 Research Center, constructed this structure in metal. It is now on display at the museum in Milan, exhibited alongside Leonardo’s original drawing, preserved in the Codex Atlanticus.
Paolo Rastelli, CEO of Bruschi, shared his pride in the accomplishment:
“As an engineer, I am immensely proud that Bruschi has contributed to such an important endeavor. Beyond the technical and technological expertise required, it is incredible to witness a Leonardo masterpiece come to life. We are honored to have partnered with the Leonardo3 Museum to realize this vision of the maestro.”
The Mazzocchio is exclusively on display at the Leonardo3 Museum in Milan.
