Leonardo
da Vinci was the epitome of a Renaissance man, also known as a polymath. He has
been heralded for his artistic and scientific talents, during both life and
following his death. Leonardo devoted himself to his studies; never meeting a
challenge that did not intrigue him. His interest extended into multiple fields
of study, because he was continuously fascinated by the world around him. Leonardo da Vinci was the greatest polymath
to influence the Renaissance and future generations through his work as an
artist, scientist, and inventor. His research will continue to inspire the
generations that follow.
Leonardo da Vinci’s life began under
circumstances that were not unique in any way. Bernard
Barryte in The Life of Leonardo da Vinci explained that, “he was born on
April 15, 1452 in the tiny village of Anchiano [within the city-state of
Tuscany, now Italy], the illegitimate son of Caterina [sic], a local peasant
woman, and Piero [da Vinci], a member of a Florentine family of notaries with a
house in nearby Vinci.”[2] He
was separated from his mother at five years old and raised in his father’s
family home, in Vinci for a period of time, by his father and grandparents. It
was there that Leonardo began a transformation into a most unique person.
Leonardo
received an education while living in his grandparents’ home. Education was a
privilege that he would not have had if he had remained in his mother’s care. While
his education was meager it gave him the knowledge and desire to continue
learning. Bernard Barryte added that, “he learned to read and write Italian as
well as the rudiments of mathematics, especially geometry.”[3]
Leonardo also studied music and learned to play the lyre.[4] After
his grandfather’s death Leonardo was sent to live with his father and his new
family in Florence.
After
Leonardo’s arrival in Florence his father discovered his talent for art. Piero
da Vinci made arrangements for Leonardo’s apprenticeship, which began when he
was fifteen years old through his early twenties. Carmen Bambach in Leonardo
da Vinci (1452-1519) noted that Leonardo was, “trained in Florence
as a painter and sculptor in the workshop of Andrea del Verrocchio.”[5]
Leonardo’s talents flourished under the guidance of del Verrocchio.
Leonardo
developed a particular interest with the physical characteristics of people
during his apprenticeship. He also developed a talent for portraying emotion in
his artwork, often in ways surpassing the artistic talent of his master.
Giorgio Vasari acknowledged that, “in his youth Leonardo made in clay several
heads of women, with smiling faces…as well as some children’s heads executed as
if by a mature artist.”[6]
Leonardo’s interests in the human body continued to grow. He also expanded his
interests and talents into new areas.
In
1472 CE, Leonardo became an independent master and continued to work under del
Verrocchio for several years. During that time Leonardo developed his new interests
in nature. Carmen Bambach claimed that, “he was constantly observing,
experimenting, and inventing, and drawing was for him a tool for recording his
investigation of nature.”[7] Leonardo
also used his artistic talent in as a way of recording all of his findings and
thoughts. Leonardo believed that there was a connection between art, science,
and nature.[8]
Leonardo’s
artwork expressed his man interests in new ways compared to the other artists
of his time. He used his observations and studies as a way to increase the authentic
look of the subjects and scenery in his paintings. According to Renaissance
Man, “in a culture previously dominated by highly figurative and downright
strange religious paintings, Leonardo’s desire to paint things realistically
was bold and fresh.”[9]
Leonardo used several painting techniques to develop his lifelike artwork and
inspired the techniques of other artists during the Renaissance.
The
two techniques that Leonardo used to create realistic artwork were known as
sfumato and chiaroscuro. Chiaroscuro was the use of dark and light in a
painting, which provided the painting with depth and prevented the cartoonish
look that was common in paintings during the Middle Ages.[10]
Leonardo modified the sfumato technique in a way that removed lines from around
features and created a faded appearance to provide ambiance.[11] Renaissance
Man: Artist pointed out that, “he was the first artist to study the
physical proportions of men, women and children and to use these studies to
determine the ‘ideal’ human figure.”[12] This
observance of proportions extended into his sculptures.
_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg "Leonardo da Vinci [Public domain or Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons")
Leonardo
used his observation skills not only to create paintings, but to create
realistic sculptures as well. The first examples of his early work, as noted
above, was how he was able to use his observation of human characteristics to sculpt
the facial features and expressions of women and children. After Leonardo moved to Milan, he was commissioned to work on an equestrian statue for the Sforza family, the rulers of Milan, Italy. A Rider on a Rearing Horse Trampling a Fallen Foe (Study for the Sforza Monument) indicated that Leonardo studied the features of a horse sometime between 1490 and 1494 in preparation of creating the clay model of the statue.[13] These studies of a horse were only a few of the sketches that Leonardo had completed over his lifetime.
Leonardo’s
studies were compiled into codices, also called notebooks, and manuscripts
throughout his life. The Paper added that it is estimated that he wrote
approximately 13,000 pages of notes related to the objects of his studies and
observations.[14]
It is also estimated that he created approximately 2,500 sketches.[15]
These included sketches of the body, plans for mechanical devices, maps,
architecture, and many other areas that his interests extended toward.
Some
of his codices contained his observations of animals, which are similar to
those discovered of his preparation to create the equestrian statue. Leonardo
studied their body proportions, movements, and even dissected some animals in
order to understand them better. The Paper reported that, “Da Vinci
dissected a number of animals such as monkeys, cows, birds, frogs, and bears
and drew the dissections in his notebooks.”[16] He
was truly fascinated by nature and combined that with his other interests and
talents.
Leonardo had other motives for dissecting and studying animals other than to use his findings as inspiration for his artwork. He used his study of animal anatomy in other projects. The Codex on the Flight of Birds (1490-1505) stated that, “as suggested by the name, this manuscript deals primarily with the flight of birds, which Leonardo analyzed [sic] closely in his efforts to build a mechanical flying machine. Here the mechanics of flight, air resistance and the effects of wind on the wings and flight of birds are all considered in great detail.”[17] His dissections and studies extended to plants and even the human body.
Leonardo’s interest in the human body was extensive and evident in his artwork and notebooks. Paolo Giovi, an Italian physician and historian, suggested that:
Leonardo’s interest in the human body was extensive and evident in his artwork and notebooks. Paolo Giovi, an Italian physician and historian, suggested that:
In the medical faculty he [Leonardo] learned to dissect the cadavers of criminals under inhuman, disgusting conditions…because he wanted [to examine and] to draw the different deflections and reflections of limbs and their dependence upon the nerves and the joints. This is why he paid attention to the forms of even small organs, capillaries and hidden parts of the skeleton.[18]
Like his research on the anatomy of animals, Leonardo applied his knowledge in new ways. The Virtruvian Man was created to depict the perfect human form in combination with geometry. The Proportions of the Human Body in the Manner of Vitruvius (The Vitruvian Man) explained that, “this iconic drawing illustrates Leonardo’s own interpretation of Vitruvius’ written account of how the ideal proportions of man, with arms and legs outstretched, would fit into the geometric forms of the square and the circle.”[19] Leonardo’s interests continued to expand beyond art and anatomy and into scientific fields.
Leonardo’s scientific research
extended into the area of the three forms of water: liquid, solid, and gas or
steam. While under the employment of Cesare Borgia, in 1502, Leonardo delved
into his study of the properties of water. Renaissance
Man: Inventor confirmed that, “he cooked up plans for a device to measure
humidity, a steam-powered cannon, and many different waterwheels, and oodles of
useful industrial machines powered by flowing water.”[20]
His inventions extended to ways to improve diving, swimming, floating, and even
walking on water.
As Cesare Borgia’s military engineer
and architect, Leonardo’s inventions for water extended toward creating designs
to increase military effectiveness during battle. Leonardo even created plans
to a device that would, “attack and sink ships from underwater, and an
‘unsinkable’ double-hulled ship.”[21]
His plans for improving battle and survival extended to designing military
machines and fortifications.[22]
Leonardo’s inventions and designs did not end with the study of water, but extended
to the field of aeronautics as well.
As mentioned above, Leonardo studied
the animal form in an attempt to use his research as a means of designing new
inventions. He studied the bird in hopes of creating a flying machine and he
also studied the bat. Leonardo da Vinci
emphasized that, “the Codex Atlanticus, for instance, includes a plan for a
65-foot mechanical bat, essentially a flying machine based on the physiology of
the bat and the principles of aeronautics and physics.”[23]
Leonardo’s designs and inventions expanded into numerous areas.
Leonardo’s notebooks are filled with
designs and sketches of his many genius inventions and plans. Leonardo da Vinci stated that, ”he
studied nature, mechanics, anatomy, physics, architecture, weaponry and more,
often creating accurate, workable designs for machines like the bicycle,
helicopter, submarine and military tank that would not come to fruition for
centuries.”[24]
Leonardo developed pageant machinery, plans for canals, designs to divert
water, created math puzzles, and even went about pulling practical jokes
through his careful planning. He also worked as a cartographer creating maps
and designed cities for Cesare Borgia.[25]
In 1502, Leonardo created plans for Cesare Borgia to develop a bridge over the Gulf of Istanbul. The purpose of the project was to connect the two distant shores with a bridge making transportation for war easier. The project was begun, but soon afterwards it was abandoned. Renaissance Man: Inventor explained that, “although the bridge was not realized at the time, in 2006 it was decided the building
of the bridge would commence.”[26] There is no indication on the completion of the bridge over the Gulf of Istanbul, but a smaller scale version of Leonardo’s design was constructed in As, Norway.[27]
Leonardo was a famous artist during the Renaissance, and was employed by rulers in areas of France and Italy. His artistic style inspired many people both while he lived and into present day. The majority of his plans, however, were never realized during his lifetime. The Paper reported that, “because Renaissance humanities did not care to mix art and science, most of Da Vinci’s findings were left unorganized until his death.”[28] Many years after Leonardo’s death, on May 2, 1519, his research was studied and continues to be used in the development of many modern day inventions.
of the bridge would commence.”[26] There is no indication on the completion of the bridge over the Gulf of Istanbul, but a smaller scale version of Leonardo’s design was constructed in As, Norway.[27]
Leonardo was a famous artist during the Renaissance, and was employed by rulers in areas of France and Italy. His artistic style inspired many people both while he lived and into present day. The majority of his plans, however, were never realized during his lifetime. The Paper reported that, “because Renaissance humanities did not care to mix art and science, most of Da Vinci’s findings were left unorganized until his death.”[28] Many years after Leonardo’s death, on May 2, 1519, his research was studied and continues to be used in the development of many modern day inventions.
It was not until after his death and the realization of
Leonardo’s many accomplishments that people began to see that he was a genius
in many fields. His name became even more famous and renowned as the centuries
passed. Sigmund Freud believed that Leonardo was, “like a man who awoke too
early in the darkness, while others were all still asleep.”[29]
Leonardo’s art, research, and inventions will continue to inspire generations
to come.
From the time Leonardo da Vinci was a young boy he had a
growing interest in the world around him. His interests increased as his
education in reading, writing, and math began, but soon expanded to music and
art. During his apprenticeship under Andrea
del Verrocchio, Leonardo modified existing techniques and developed new ones
for painting. His artwork, though, often took the form of sketches instead of
paintings and sculptures, as he began to observe the world around him.
Many of Leonardo da Vinci’s
notebooks provide evidence of his many interests and talents. These include his
study of animal, plant, and human anatomy. The notebooks include sketches of
his observations on nature and science and include his many inventions.
Leonardo made notes during his observations and was able to transform his
studies into new ideas. These included studying birds and bats to design flying
machines to plans for bridges and steam powered weapons.
Leonardo da Vinci was a true Renaissance man, who began with
a basic education and expanded his knowledge through research and study. He
devoted his life to learning everything that he could from art to science to
design. Leonardo was widely acknowledged during his life for his artistic
talents. It was not until after his death that people began to discover the
genius behind the man and the many talents that he had. Leonardo’s manuscripts
contain research and sketches in multiple fields of study that have inspired
many generations following his death. Leonardo provides the perfect example of what
one person can do when they put their mind and soul into their life’s work.
[1] Giorgio Vasari,
Lives of the Artists, vol. 1, trans.
by George Bull (New York, NY: Penguin Books Ltd., 1987), Kindle Edition, 255.
[2] Bernard
Barryte, “The Life of Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519),” University of Rochester,
accessed November 20, 2014. http://www.lib.rochester.edu/index.cfm?PAGE=3456
[3] Ibid.
[4] Vasari, Lives of the Artists, 255.
[5] Carmen Bambach,
"Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519),” The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accessed
November 19, 2014. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/leon/hd_leon.htm
[6] Vasari, Lives of the Artist, 256.
[7] Bambach,
“Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519).”
[8]
“Leonardo da Vinci,” History, accessed November
20, 2014. http://www.history.com/topics/leonardo-da-vinci#section_1
[9]
“Renaissance Man: Artist,” Museum of Science,
accessed December 16, 2014. http://legacy.mos.org/leonardo/artist.html
[10] Ibid.
[11] Ibid.
[12] Ibid.
[13] “A Rider on a
Rearing Horse Trampling a Fallen Foe (Study for the Sforza Monument),”
Universal Leonardo, accessed December 16, 2014.
http://www.universalleonardo.org/work.php?id=463
[14] “The Paper,”
Leonardo Da Vinci’s Notebook Project, accessed November 19, 2014.
http://www.ivc.edu/academics/schoolFA/arthistory/Documents/art2526projects/davinci_f07/page/paper.html
[15] Bambach,
"Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519).”
[16] “The Paper,”
Leonardo Da Vinci’s Notebook Project.
[17] “Codex on the
Flight of Birds (1490-1505),” Universal Leonardo, accessed November 20, 2014.
http://www.universalleonardo.org/work.php?id=483
[18]
Paolo Giovi, quoted in “Renaissance Man:
Scientist,” Museum of Science, accessed December 16, 2014.
http://legacy.mos.org/leonardo/scientist.html
[19] “The
Proportions of the Human Body in the Manner of Vitruvius (The Vitruvian Man),”
Universal Leonardo, accessed December 16, 2014.
http://www.universalleonardo.org/work.php?id=448
[20] “Renaissance
Man: Inventor,” Museum of Science, accessed December 16, 2014.
http://legacy.mos.org/leonardo/inventor.html
[21] Ibid.
[22] Barryte, “The
Life of Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519).”
[23] “Leonardo da
Vinci,” History.
[24] Ibid.
[25] “Renaissance
Man: Inventor,” Museum of Science.
[26] Ibid.
[27]
“Leonardo da Vinci Bridge Project,” Allied Arts
Foundation, accessed December 16, 2014.
http://www.alliedarts-foundation.org/vebjorn-sand/
[28] “The Paper,”
Leonardo Da Vinci’s Notebook Project.
[29]
Sigmund Freud, quoted in “Leonardo da Vinci,”
History, accessed November 20, 2014. http://www.history.com/topics/leonardo-da-vinci#section_1
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Vasari,
Giorgio. Lives of the Artists. Vol.
1. Translated by George Bull. New York, NY: Penguin Books Ltd., 1987. Kindle
Edition.
***Check out some of Leonardo da Vinci's artwork at artsy.net!
