Leonardo Da Vinci: A Natural Genius

Leonardo da Vinci, a natural genius with extraordinary talent adorned the hat of a painter, inventor, architect, and a science student. Although he was self-educated, Leonardo has an intriguing mind that resulted in several inventions, theories, and observations ranging from anatomy to aeronautics. His concepts described in the notebook is hard to interpret as it is beyond the understanding of the era. His extraordinary visual intelligence and astute empirical is visible in his art and scientific sketches. He created several designs on paper like the helicopter, airplane, bicycle, etc. based on the physiology. His vivid imagination and intellect were never appreciated as he garnered attention only as a great artist. He is famous for his paintings

His military engineering skills were highly appreciated during this period as he produced exemplary machinery for stage set-ups based on propulsion and laws of motion. Though Leonardo completed six works in Milan, only two are available today. The first painting of Leonardo in Milan was the altarpiece called Virgin of Rocks that shows the holy family in a cave. Another significant painting during the period is The Last Supper that makes use of fresco to make distinctive color. His earlier experimentation of using the oil-based medium for painting was unsuccessful. The famous existing version is a later reconstruction. Leonardo stayed in Milan till 1499 till Duke of Milan was overthrown by the French

As Leonardo focused more time on scientific observation, he produced no paintings at the time in Milan. In 1507-1508, Leonardo traveled to Florence to finish the bronze statues for Florence Bapistery. Leonardo’s interest in the scientific field extended to his art and anatomy research. So, the anatomical drawings of Leonardo are far beyond the human anatomy painting of early Renaissance painters.

Leonardo surrounded himself with pupils during the period among them Salai and Bernardino de’ Conti stayed in his studio. New students like Giampetrino, Cesare da Sesto, Bernardino Luini, and Francesco Melzi joined Da Vinci. Among them, Francesco Melzi stayed till Da Vinci’s death. During this time, Gian Giacomo Trivulzio commissioned for an equestrian statue for his tomb that never completed.

His interest also extended to study of plants, geology, but never felt in the ease of history, literature, and theology. Leonardo’s interests in the movement, pressure, growth, and action are the reason behind his research. His sketches detail more about the working of human bodies rather than just a physical representation.

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