The Milan Cathedral was the inspiration for Leonardo da Vinci's interest in architecture. In 1987, he was involved in a project that called for the design of a tiburio, or lantern tower. Throughout the process, da Vinci would draw his design using a grid of squares to give it that symmetrical and balanced appearance that was common in Renaissance architecture at the time. His arcitectural style would be influenced by Vitruvius after he befriended both Bramante and di Giorgio around that time.

The Vitruvian Man drawing from Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks is housed in the Galleria dell’Accademia in Venice, Italy. It is only occasionally revealed to the public, as “prolonged exposure to light would cause it to fade,” (Isaacson 153). Most recently, it was on display at the Louvre in Paris, France. 

In 1487, Leonardo da Vinci was determined to prove himself as an architect by designing a lantern tower, otherwise known as a tiburio, for the Milan Cathedral. As he perfected his designs, he fostered friendships with two other architects, Donato Bramante and Francesco di Giorgio.