Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci: A Renaissance Man

Leonardo da Vinci embodies the term "Renaissance man".
The development of this term is attributed to Leonardo da Vinci himself.
A Renaissance man is an individual gifted at all things: art, philosophy, science.
Da Vinci was not only an artist but also a scientist, philosopher, and engineer.
He observed the natural world to unlock its mysteries.

Interpret the importance of Leonardo's technical achievements.
List the characteristics of the Mona Lisa.
Recognize the significance of the Vitruvian Man.
Understand how Leonardo's depiction of the Last Supper breaks from traditional representations.

Leonardo worked as a civil engineer in Milan early in his career.
He was a dedicated artist and scientist, embodying the "Renaissance man" ideal.
Many of his 1400s inventions have been constructed and implemented today, such as a rudimentary helicopter.
He made discoveries in meteorology and geology.
He explored the moon's effect on tides and foreshadowed modern theories of tectonic plates.
His theories and artistic innovations were based on careful observation.

Leonardo's notes on anatomy exemplify the marriage of science and art.
He dissected cadavers to explore human anatomy.
He extracted internal organs, drew them, and tried to understand their nature.
His use of the chiaroscuro technique gave his renditions of the human heart sculptural qualities.
He blended artistic qualities with precise observation in science and technology.

Painted in 1503, the Mona Lisa is one of the most replicated works in history.
Many artists have imitated and mocked it, drawn to its enigmatic nature.
The general post and composition include:
- The subject is a woman, which was unconventional.
- She wears no jewelry, not even a ring.
- The pose is a triangular composition of her upper torso.
Typically, portraits were full-body during this time period.
Her infamous smile: she is grinning with dimples, but there is a lack of accompanying light in her eyes.
It's almost a smirk without smiling eyes, as if she knows something the viewer doesn't.
Her head is tilted, but her eyes look directly at the viewer, adding to the mystery and eeriness.
Leonardo used chiaroscuro and sfumato techniques.
Chiaroscuro: use of lights and darks to create a volumetric image and a greater three-dimensional quality.
During the High Renaissance, there was a debate on whether painting or sculpture was the higher art form.
Michelangelo supported sculpture, while Leonardo supported painting.
Leonardo says that color is not as important as creating an illusionary sense of space.
Direct light creates highlights on her forehead, nose, cheeks, and wrist, contrasted with dark darks.
Leonardo united the individual parts of the painting into a holistic image.
He applied a thin layer of tinted varnish to the surface, giving it a smoky, eerie feeling.
This technique is called Sfumato.

The concept of the Vitruvian Man was created by the Roman engineer and architect Vitruvius.
Vitruvius wrote that for a man to be perfect, he had to fit inside a circle and a square.
Artists have used geometric shapes and mathematical proportions to unlock the secrets of the ideal human form.
Circle:
- If a man stretches his arms and legs out, a compass starting from his navel would draw a perfect circle touching his fingers and toes.
Square:
- Measuring from fingertip to fingertip and the top of the head to the soles of the feet would be equidistant, creating a perfect square.
The circle was considered a divine form, the most perfect geometric shape.
Leonardo was very interested in the Vitruvian Man, providing his own interpretations in his notes and drawings.

The Last Supper was done in 1495 in the monastery of Santa Maria Della Grazi in Milan.
It's a fresco located on the back wall of the refectory (cafeteria).
The coffers of the ceiling extended down to just above Christ's head, creating an illusionary space.
It created a seamless transition from the real world into an illusionary world created by paint.
Christ is in the center, painted in a triangular or pyramidal shape, an equilateral triangle.
This symbolizes the Holy Trinity: God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
The disciples/apostles are arranged in four groups of three people.
Judas, the apostle who betrayed Christ, is with John the Evangelist and Saint Peter.
Typically, Judas is an outcast, but here he is included with key figures.
Judas sets into motion the crucifixion, Peter becomes the leader of the early church, and John foretells the second coming of Christ.
Leonardo tried to deviate from the traditional fresco technique of using egg tempera on wet plaster.
He painted on a thin layer of dried plaster using an oily-based medium.
He wanted to achieve the same effect as painting on a wood panel.
The result was disastrous, with the paint peeling off the wall shortly after completion.
In the 17th century, monks broke through the wall below the painting.

We interpreted the importance of Leonardo's technological advancements.
We listed the characteristics of the Mona Lisa.
We recognized the significance of the Vitruvian Man.
We understand how Leonardo's depiction of the Last Supper breaks with the traditional representations.

Leonardo was the epitome of the Renaissance man.
He was a master and gifted at everything, from arts to sciences to technology.
His interest in science yielded great sketches and drawings that anticipated modern-day inventions and advancements.
His art reflected an intense level of attention to detail and observation of the natural world.