Leonardo Da VinciRenaissance Man, Genius

Leonardo Da Vinci

Born in Vinci, Italy, an illegitimate son to a peasant woman and a successful notary, he began his life facing hardship and obscurity.

With no privilege of a formal education, Da Vinci launched a self-education program.

He grew up in nature, and began to use his keen skill of observation to learn about the world around him.

He was alive during a tumultuous, yet progressive time for Italy and for the world.

(1452-1519)

Scientist

Mathematician

Engineer

Inventor

Anatomist

Painter

Sculptor

Architect

Accomplishmentsof Leonardo Da Vinci

Botanist

Musician

Writer

Zoologist

Aerodynamics

Hydrodynamics

Cartography

Philosophy

Art

Curious as well as observant, he constantly tried to explain what he saw.

Because he wrote down and sketched so many of his observations, we know that he was among the very first to take a scientific approach towards understanding how our world works and how we see it

Leonardo’s desire to paint things realistically was bold and fresh, and eventually became the standard for painters who followed in the 16th century

Went beyond his teaching by making a scientific study of light and shadow in nature

Objects were not comprised of outlines, but were actually 3-D bodies defined by light and shadow

Art

Mystery of the Mona Lisa• He recorded in his notebooks

the records of model sittings; but records of the Mona Lisa model sitting are nowhere to be found

• Theories are that Leonardo painted himself, and this theory is supported by analyzing the facial features of Leonardo’s face and that of the famous painting

• If the features of the face were placed on top of each other, and flipped, they would align perfectly

• Also, it has been x-rayed and there currently 3 different versions of it underneath the current one.

Due to his highly inquisitive nature, Leonardo began hundreds of projects to learn about the world around him. His projects were ranging from painting to war machine invention, but never brought many of his projects to completion. Most of his scientific theories and inventions never made it past the notebook stage. However, the ingenuity of his ideas are still being used today.

War machines from the armored car, firearm with screw elevating gear, machine for storming walls, hoist for lifting cannons, eight barreled organ, automatic igniting device, hull rammer, giant cross bow, ballista for hurling stones, scythed chariot, split-trail gun carriage, and many more.

Flying machines such as the aerial screw, device for testing beating wings, flying ship, articulated wing, parachute, anemometer, flapping-wing machine with vertical bearing, wing structure, inclinometer, wing-beating device with a screw and lead screw system, leaf spring engine for flying machine.

Machines

More machinesWork machines-Self propelled car, pillar lifting machine, pile driver, drilling machine, revolving crane, machine for threading screws, machine for making mirrors, machine for making ropes, winged spindle, distiller with continuous cooling system, pulleys, mechanical drum, odometer, gold foraging hammer, fan, rollers for friction studies, machine for digging trenches, and more

Water and Land machines- sluice gate hatch, lagoon dredge, paddle boat, webbed glove, drop-bottom float, floats for walking on water, fast-construction bridge, boat with paddle wheels, diving bell, bilge pump, device for measuring water turning to steam, double hull, auto-feed hydraulic saw, mobile-ram boat (assault battleship).

Science

Leonardo Da Vinci had a strong curiosity and refused to believe what his observations could not prove. For example, through his studies of fossils, he refuted ideas such as the Great Flood from the biblical era of Noah who built the ark.

By his studies refuting the flood, Leonardo also predicted the 20th century idea of plate tectonics by considering the possibility of uplift in mountain building.

It was even suggested that Leonardo conceptualized an idea of evolution, which was not formally researched and published by Charles Darwin until 1859... more than 300 years later!!!

AnatomyThe detail with which Leonardo Da Vinci observed, recorded, drew, documented his medical findings set an example for researchers and medical practitioners for centuries to come.

The zealousness with which Leonardo Da Vinci searched for answers set an example for all of the world.

Why he’s a genius

A genius, according to wikipedia.com, is a person with great intelligence, who shows an exceptional natural capacity of intellect, especially as shown in creative and original work. Geniuses always show strong individuality and imagination, and are not only intelligent, but unique and innovative.

Leonardo gained his intimate knowledge of the world despite lacking a formal education and despite facing seemingly insurmountable odds.

He wrote out ideas, filling 20,000 pages of notes which are still studied today.

His art and paintings are admired millions.

His interests, enthusiasm boundless. His work is not only creative and original, but revolutionary.

Leonardo Da Vinci

Mysteries of Da VinciDespite being a genius, Da Vinci also had much mystery surrounding

him. In fact, here are a few interesting thoughts:

It is thought that Leonardo Da Vinci was dyslexic.

Most of the time, he wrote his notes backwards. Why did Leonardo write from right-to-left, in mirror image? Although unusual, this is a trait shared by many left-handed dyslexic people. Most of the time, dyslexic writers are not even consciously aware that they are writing this way.

Mysteries of Da VinciLeonardo's spelling is also considered erratic and quite strange. He also started many more projects then he

ever finished - a characteristic now often considered to be 'A.D.D.‘

Even Leonardo, later in his life, regretted "never having completed a single work."

The adoration of the Magi-another unfinished work of

Leonardo Da Vinci

Unfinished Da Vinci painting of St Jerome

Unfinished sketch of a horse