Leonardo da Vinci was a true Renaissance man who dabbled in many professions, and he
contributed greatly to the study of science, medicine, and art. Being among the most influential artists in history, his paintings were far more naturalistic than Medieval paintings, and were immensely famous both in the Renaissance and the modern world (Qian). Da Vinci left a significant legacy in both the world of art and science. He believed that art was guided by science and vise versa; his scientific studies allowed for his art to be realistic, and his artistic view on things allowed for many unique inventions that were considered ahead of their time (Maranzani). Though many of his designs were never tested, his ideas were used as inspiration for many modern items. For example, he created the first usable version of scissors, diving suits and gear, and contact lenses (Andrei). Leonardo da Vinci contributed immensely to the modern world today with his incredible designs and works of art.
Leonardo da Vinci, though widely known for being a true Renaissance man, has two paintings that are among the most well-known paintings. The Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, are some of the most reproduced paintings in the world. Da Vinci broke the traditional style in both paintings, making his paintings unique from other Renaissance paintings. The Last Supper was cr eated for a monastery, and it is measured to about fifteen by twenty-nine feet. Painted between 1495-1498, it captures Jesus Christ’s last supper with his disciples. The Last Supper is
one of his more well-known paintings due to how it broke away from traditional techniques, but still maintained values from the Renaissance period. Da Vinci used a type of paint called tempura instead of the oil paint typically used; however, Da Vinci made the painting style his by painting on dry, instead, of wet plaster. His decision to paint on dry plaster shortened the time he had to wait before he could add more paint, and it also allowed him to capture the intense emotion and body language of the Apostles. While making the painting unique, his technique proved to be unsuccessful. By the 16th century, damage had appeared, and the painting began to deteriorate. In 1999, a major restoration on the painting was completed, and it revealed that a small amount of the original paint remains (Potter). The painting, despite its deterioration, remains to be one of the most famous paintings known due to its dramatic narrative. The Mona Lisa, which measures to about twenty-one to thirty-one inches, was a portrait a Florentine merchant’s wife. While still upholding Renaissance techniques, Da Vinci seemed to break with traditional painting. He used a canvas called cottonwood paneling which accounts for why Mona Lisa has stayed intact longer than The Last Supper. Da Vinci also broke tradition by painting her from the waist up, unlike other paintings where people are shown in full length.
In Da Vinci’s incredible paintings, he introduced and improved upon many painting techniques. Sfumato is a painting technique created by Da Vinci where there are no hard lines or contours, there is only seamless transitions between light and dark, producing an effect that makes the edges of objects appear to be obscured by smoke (Bambach). This technique can be found in The Last Supper where he merged the background with its surroundings. Chiaroscuro is a painting technique created by Da Vinci that uses light and dark colors to add contrast to the painting, and draws out certain elements to add realism (Bambach). Another technique used by Da Vinci was the concept of “vanishing point.” This concept was shown in The Last Supper where there are diagonal lines intersecting in the background, giving the painting a sense of depth (Potter). Da Vinci also used a unique perspective. For example, in the Mona Lisa his use of perspective makes it seem as if she is watching the viewer from anywhere in the room. Also, the Mona Lisa conveys movement due to the way her arms, head, and torso are positioned. Da Vinci’s breaks from traditional Renaissance art has guided generations upon generations of artists. His sketches of men and women with exaggerated features, considered the essence of Leonardo, helped him to develop a new way to represent bodies and surfaces in his paintings (Siegal). The sketches helped his paintings contain more realism than others from the Renaissance further proving Da Vinci’s work to be unique. Da Vinci’s techniques were new and unique. Many artists throughout history, inspired by his incredible paintings, have repeatedly strived to replicate Da Vinci’s work.
Da Vinci was not only interested in painting, but he was also fascinated by anatomy. When he was young, he began studying anatomy as a part of his apprenticeship in Florence (Maranzani). He began drawing many studies of muscles and tendons, and dissecting bodies as a way to create more detailed drawings (Andrei). His drawing of the “Vitruvian Man” consists of a nude male figure with his arms and legs apart while being inside of a circle. The drawing is showing the perfect proportion of the human body (Siegal). He also studied physiology, and he began making wax molds of the brain. He began to better understand how blood flows, and created some of the first drawings of human organs. His studies also led him to discoveries in neuroanatomy and neurophysiology. Da Vinci would examine corpses ranging from fetuses to old age to recognize each part of the human body (Toledo-Pereyra). His discoveries are shown in 200 pages of detailed descriptions and drawings of anatomical sketches. Some of his contributions to anatomy include the following: the description of coronary artery disease, the description of the heart as a muscle, and the depiction of the fetus. He also was the first person to describe the correct shape of the human spine. Despite his incredible discoveries, his study of corpses was considered disgusting and did not impress the people of the Renaissance. During the second half of the 18th century, his work reached the surgical community, and surgeons used his studies to better understand human anatomy (Maranzani).
Along with anatomy, Da Vinci was fascinated by engineering, and by the idea of flight. Despite disliking the horrors of war, he invented deadly designs, such as the first machine gun, a massive crossbow, and an armored vehicle (Maranzani). Although many of his designs were ahead of their time and never created, his engineering ideas still fascinates researchers today. Enamored by the phenomenon of flight, Da Vinci deeply studied birds and bats (Andrei). His studies inspired him to sketch the first parachute in the 15th century. His design consisted of linen cloth held open by wooden poles. Along with the parachute, he designed a flying machine, called an Ornithopter, where a person would be strapped into a set of wooden wings; however, a working model of his flying machine was never built (Maranzani). Da Vinci also designed human gliders and an aerial screw, which similar to today’s helicopter. Similar to many of his designs, his Leonardo’s attempts at flight were too advanced for their time.
Leonardo da Vinci was a true Renaissance man who dabbled in many professions, and he contributed greatly to the study of science, medicine, and art. His designs paved the way and inspired many new inventions that exist in the modern world today. His advancements in science, such as anatomy and engineering, and his advancements in art, such as sfumato and chiaroscuro, will always allow him to be remembered as the true Renaissance man he is.
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