Who was Da Vinci?
- A perfectionist, meaning most of his works such as the Mona Lisa were never complete in his eyes
- First person to understand 3D in art
- Designed/discovered the two specific painting techniques
- Chiaroscuro: playing with contrast between darkness and light to create dimensions in paintings
- Sfumato: subtle gradation rather than harsh strict boarders, infused paintings with softer, smokey alura
- Explored the idea of the flying machine- he was prophesying the possible future
- Designed war machines such as tanks out of steel and iron
- Was interested in dissecting bodies, plants and animals
- At times he would pay or dig up corpses to do this
- This highlights his need to understand everything intricately
- He was a Perfectionist
- Was a painter, sculptor, architect, inventor, military engineer and draftsman — the epitome of a “Renaissance man
- He was an illegitimate child
- He did not receive formal education
- He had a male partner- Mona lisa was said to actually be a man in womens clothing
- Was ambidextrous - (wrote with one hand and drew with the other) developed a system of writing backwards to note down important findings, hide secret messages which could only be deciphered through a mirror
- He was executed
- Was a child born out of wedlock
- Da Vinci’s drawings would become an essential part of his legacy, where he sketched prolifically, planning inventions, exploring human anatomy, drawing landscapes, and blocking out plans for paintings such as The Virgin of the Rocks and his sole surviving mural, The Last Supper.
- Da Vinci developed his skill in drawing, painting and sculpting during his apprenticeship, however through others working in and around the studio, he gained knowledge in such diverse fields as mechanics, carpentry, metallurgy, architectural drafting and chemistry.
- Da Vinci had a curious mind as well as a keen intellect and studied the laws of science along with nature, which was an essential part of his work.
- He was a reserved and withdrawn man, not concerned with glory and valued his abilities
- Da Vinci was described as a man with great personal appeal, kindness and generosity.
- Leonardo and architecture: wide ranging interest in engineering and architecture; embodied in his studies of: geometry, maths, mechanics, physics and anatomy.
REFERENCE
Unknown 2011, Leonardo da Vinci, his Life and Artworks, viewed 17 October 2018, <https://www.leonardodavinci.net/>.
