Adyghe Int. Sci. J. Vol. 25, No. 4. Pp. 122–155.
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.47928/1726-9946-2025-25-4-122-155
EDN: OYCWVE
HISTORY
| UDC 94(3) | Original Article |
Act of Liberation of the Circassian slave Katerina
(city-republic of Florence, November 1, 1452)
Kurash Arthur Petrovich
PhD in Cultural Studies, independent researcher, ORCID: https: //orcid.org/0000-0002-8482-2663, artur_kurash@mail.ru
Abstract. The article explores the identity of the mysterious Catherine, mother and muse of the great Renaissance artist and scientist Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519), as well as testing and analyzing the most convincing hypothesis / proof of the Circassian origin of Catherine, Leonardo da Vinci’s mother. The study focuses on the manuscript of the notarial «Act of Liberation of the Slave Catherine, November 1, 1452» (obverse and reverse of the sheet, 701 words), «Diary entry of the Cavalier Castellani, November 5, 1452», «Haddian Codex», 1540–1550. A complete copy of the Act with a translation into Russian (with footnotes and commentary) is published for the first time. In order to understand and construct the logic of the events that took place around the slave Catherine and Sir Piero da Vinci, taking into account the realities of the medieval city-republic of Florence in the 15th century, the works of famous Leonardo scholars from Italy, Russia, England, and the USA were studied, as well as research on the medieval justice system in the Italian city-states of the late Middle Ages. To ensure the most accurate translation of the key archival document (with comments and footnotes), a Russian-Italian expert group was created, using consulting information and additional documents provided by the State Archives of Florence, the Central Library of Florence, and Prof. G. Chappelli (University of Trent). The information obtained, as a missing link in the chain of indirect evidence, provides grounds for considering the hypothesis of the Circassian origin of Catherine, Leonardo da Vinci’s mother, fully proven. During the research process, problem-chronological, historicallegal, and comparative research methods were used to verify, update, and deepen knowledge and identify evidence; the principles of historicism, objectivity, adequacy, and systemic analysis were observed.
Keywords: Catherine, Leonardo, Circassian slave, Leonardo da Vinci’s mother.
Funding. The work was not carried out within the framework of funds.
Competing interests. There are no conflicts of interest regarding authorship and publication.
Contribution and Responsibility. The author participated in the writing of the article and is fully responsible for submitting the final version of the article to the press.
For citation. Kurash A. P. Act of Liberation of the Circassian slave Katerina (city-republic of Florence, November 1, 1452). Adyghe Int. Sci. J. 2025. Vol. 25, No. 4. Pp. 122–155. DOI: https://doi.org/10.47928/1726-9946-2025-25-4-122-155; EDN: OYCWVE
Submitted 31.10.2025; approved after reviewing 20.11.2025; accepted for publication 29.11.2025.
© Kurash A.P., 2025
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