Leonardo Leonardo da Vinci is the personification of the achievements of the Renaissance. A man of great intellect and artistic creativity, he remains a symbol of learning and culture today, maintaining a role in even pop culture. People continue to be intrigued by the man who not only painted gorgeous and delicate portraits but also composed sketches of the world around him that reveal an understanding above most of his time. Leonardo was deeply interested in the scientific processes of nature and had a strong desire to illuminate the inner workings of the world. It was this natural curiosity and appreciation for the intricate secrets of the physical world that allowed him to paint so beautifully. In his brilliant mind, art and science culminated to form a deep understanding of the secret interior of objects that allowed him to represent his subjects in the most accurate and breath taking of ways. Da Vinci understood that to truly portray anything’s surface, one has to have an intimate knowledge of everything that lies underneath. He made sketches of men hanged for treason and extensively studied human anatomy, performing dissections even though the Church forbade them, so that he could understand how the human body operated under all conditions. He studied the way that water flows, and discovered that the spiral was an integral shape to nature. Da Vinci was a great inventor and designed things never attempted before, such as a flying machine. He is known as saying that he was a scientist and not an artist, but really it was his genius in one subject that flowed over to the other. “Leonardo made the faculty of vision—or more precisely, the gift and patience for intensive observation—the foundation of both his scient... ... middle of paper ... ...e shows through in his artwork. The painting Saint Jerome is unfinished, as is much of da Vinci’s work. Bibliography: Adams, Laurie Schneider. Italian Renaissance Art, Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 2001. Ackerman, James S. “Leonardo Da Vinci: ‘Art in Science’” from Daedalus, Vol. 127, No. 1, Science in Culture, pp. 207-224. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1998. http://www.jstor.org/stable/20027483 Bull, David. “Two Portraits by Leonardo: ‘Ginevra de’ Benci’ and the ‘Lady with an Ermine’” in Artibus et Historiae, Vol. 13, No. 25, pp. 67-83. Krakow, Poland: IRSA s.c., 1992. http://www.jstor.org/stable/1483457 Wayman, Alex. “The Human Body as Microcosm in India, Greek Cosmology, and Sixteenth-Century Europe” in History of Religions, Vol. 22, No. 2, pp. 172-190. Chicago, IL: The University of Chicago Press, 1982. http://www.jstor.org/stable/1062568
In the the 1490’s, da Vinci wrote in four notebooks, the topics were painting, architecture, mechanics, and human anatomy. He wrote thousands of pages in his notebooks that also included illustrations. His notebooks were very informative, one included plans for a 65-foot mechanical bat, or a flying machine. Others included the human anatomy, for example, he had written his studies of human skeleton, muscles, brain, digestive and reproductive systems. Since da Vinci did not publish his work on human anatomy, he did not influence the scientific community.
These paintings are famous for a variety of qualities which have been much imitated by students and discussed at great length by aficionados and critics (“Leonardo Da Vinci.” Biography Online.) Among the qualities that make Leonardo's work unique are the innovative techniques which he used in laying on the paint, and his detailed knowledge of anatomy, light, botany and geology. These combined with his interest in physiognomy and the way in which humans register emotion in expression and gesture and his innovative use of the human form in figurative composition, blend with subtle gradation of tone (“Simplifying a Genius.”). All these techniques are evident his most famous painted works: the Mona Lisa, the Last Supper and the Virgin of the Rocks (“The Secret Revealed: How to Look at Italian Renaissance Painting.”
Nearly everything captured the attention of handsome, intelligent, and charming da Vinci. His dream of flying and pursuit of inventing often compelled him to abandon a project for the sake of exploration. Contrary to the beliefs of most notorious figures of the time, da Vinci comprehended the flaws of humanism and relativism. Rather, he recognized a higher authority, which he strove to obey. Today, da Vinci is most frequently recognized as the creative genius behind the fascinating “Mona Lisa.” “Mona Lisa” herself, was likely quite ordinary. In fact, “Mona” is simply an abbreviation of the title, “Mrs.” or “Madonna.” While the subject’s true identity is debatable, da Vinci’s skillful execution is undeniable. The blurred contours and dark undertones of his own technique, sfumato, pair with intentional fuzziness and purposeful shadows to create a portrait with exceptional depth and rich meaning. Opposed to the preferences of many artists of the day, da Vinci favored pleasant subjects. No doubt his employment of musicians and jesters to entertain his subjects is partially responsible for Mona Lisa’s distinguished smile. Indubitably, Leonardo da Vinci’s achievements set the standard for High Renaissance
Leonardo art work, invention, and thirst for knowledge show it an overwhelming desire wanting to learn more. His head was spinning with ideas to create something better, making something beautiful, and about how the human body works. His curiosity was so impressive that he would stay awake for hours on end hoping to change his theory and prove that there is more to changing to something magnificent. Studying in 14th century and 15th century in secret of the church’s power and belief.
Leonardo Da Vinci could be argued as one of the most famous persons in the Renaissance Era and one of the greatest painters to ever live. Leonardo is talented and has made many contribution throught his life. He did so many things such as painting, anatomy , mechanics, and architecture. And he is one of the reasons why the Renaissance era could be regarded at one of the greatest time periods in history.
Adamo, Rossella Vodret, and Michelangelo Merisi Da Caravaggio. Caravaggio: The Complete Works. Cinisello Balsamo, Milano: Silvana, 2010. Print.
Vasari, Giorgio. Life of Michelangelo. [Translated by Gaston du C. de Vere.] (New York: St. Pauls, 2003), pp. 69-132.
Most people do not realize that a parachute and the Mona Lisa have one common factor—Leonardo da Vinci. His techniques of self-teaching are very impressive and unique from anyone else’s during the Renaissance era. This Renaissance man, Leonardo da Vinci, generously impacted the art and science world by creating new-world inventions, perfecting newly found art techniques, and creating the most famous pieces of art in history.
Paolucci, Antonio. The Origins of Renaissance Art: the Baptistry Doors, Florence. 1st ed. New York, N.Y.: George Braziller, 1996. 14-37.
In recent years a number of scholarly studies have inspected and clarified the complex intersection of Leonardo da Vinci’s art with his other intellectual pursuit...
Partridge, Loren. The Art of Renaissance Rome 1400-1600. New York, NY: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 1996.
Most everyone knows of, or at least has heard, of Da Vinci. He was a man ahead of his time, a great scientist as well as artist, and although he may h...
Cenedella, Marc. 29 Jan. 2010 "Leonardo Da Vinci’s Resume." Cenedella RSS. Cenedella. Web. 15 Apr. 2014. .
Leonardo da Vinci continues to impact the world we know as an innovator of the Renaissance period. While he studied a variety of things, including anatomy and geology, he transformed his wisdom into outstanding works of art. As we analyze his most influential masterpieces, we must understand what separates da Vinci’s work from others of this time period. In order to enhance perspective, artists of the early Renaissance used an abundance of linear perspective, literal qualities, and symbolism exactly as Leonardo da Vinci did. The Mona Lisa and The Last Supper depicts not only realism, but also the time, efforts, and talents of Leonardo himself. Representing the Renaissance, these masterpieces illustrate
Leonardo was born in a small town in Tuscany, Italy called Vinci on 15 April, 1452. Back then, not all people had surnames; only those who were rich and powerful deserved one. Therefore, when people today refer to him as “Leonardo da Vinci”, “da Vinci” actually means “from Vinci” in Italian. His talent for painting was recognized by his family and neighbors when he was still a boy, and he started his painting career at a very young age. At 14, he was sent to Florence by his father to learn from Verrocchio, who owned a leading workshop at the time. It is said that when he cooperated with Verrocchio on the Baptism of Christ, his skill was so much finer than his master’s that Verrocchio quit in the middle and never painted again for his whole life. 1