Labeled-for-reuse image courtesy wikipedia.com
Each year on April 15th, the stars shine a little brighter and the birds chirp somewhat sweeter as hearts are gently reminded of the birth of Leonardo da Vinci. Born in 1452 in Vinci, Republic of Florence, Leonardo came into this world with no title or power, or even parents who were married. He entered planet Earth in a meek and lowly way. Little did his parents (Piero da Vinci and Catarina) know that their baby would change the course of history and leave an indelible mark upon all those he came into contact with, and many, many more.
The Many Titles of Leonardo da Vinci
Artist. Inventor. Scientist. It is the rare person to whom all these titles can be applied. Leonardo da Vinci was one such individual. Besides these, da Vinci also claimed the titles of…
- Engineer
- Geologist
- Botanist
- Writer
- Historian
- Musician
- Mathematician
- Cartographer
- Astronomer
- Architect
- Paleontologist
Obviously, the original Renaissance man accomplished much during his 67-year life. Most people would do well to fulfill just one of the roles he mastered. In particular, he is celebrated for his artistry, inventions, and breakthroughs in the field of science. Let us take a closer look at who Leonardo da Vinci was in each of these unique arenas.
Da Vinci, the Artist
Leonardo da Vinci wore many hats, but the one he is most fondly remembered for is “artist.” In his artwork, his High-Renaissance style is unmistakable. As is stated on Wikipedia, “Among the qualities that make Leonardo’s work unique are the innovative techniques which he used in laying on the paint, his detailed knowledge of anatomy, light, botany and geology, his interest in physiognomy and the way in which humans register emotion in expression and gesture, his innovative use of the human form in figurative composition, and his use of the subtle gradation of tone.” Some of his most notable works include Lady with an Ermine, The Last Supper, and, of course, Mona Lisa.
Leonardo’s Beautiful Mind Captivates Scholars
Da Vinci truly had a beautiful mind. During his life, he is said to have invented or had a hand in inventing the flying machine, parachute, giant crossbow, scaling ladder, and robot. (Dozens of other inventions are attributed to Leonardo.) As a scientist, da Vinci made a plethora of discoveries and hypotheses. Museum of Science’s article Renaissance Man states, (Da Vinci’s) experiments in anatomy and the study of fluids, for example, absolutely blew away the accomplishments of his predecessors. Beginning with his first stay in Milan and accelerating around 1505, Leonardo became more and more wrapped up in his scientific investigations. The sheer range of topics that came under his inquiry is staggering: anatomy, zoology, botany, geology, optics, aerodynamics and hydrodynamics among others.” In light of all this, is it any wonder that da Vinci’s inventive, scientifically inclined mind has captivated scholars for centuries?
May 2, 1519 was a sad day in history. It was the day this side of heaven bid farewell to Leonardo da Vinci. In his 67 years, he accomplished more than most people could in 10 lifetimes. No doubt his beautiful legacy will endure at least another 400 years.
Do you love Leonardo da Vinci? Are you also a fan of paint-by-number? If so, you’ll fall head over heels for our digital paint-by-number game that can be played on a Windows PC. Check out our corresponding Leonardo da Vinci pattern here.
Read more Segmation blog posts about Leonardo da Vinci:
Artistic and Inventive Mind: Creative Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci – The Renaissance Man
