Leonardo da Vinci - Research Paper Example

Leonardo da Vinci The influence of Renaissance is still evident in the historical and the political scenarios of the western civilization. Within this context, Leonardo da Vinci’s influence on Italian Renaissance is noteworthy because the same is symbolic of the human attempt to attain perfection in each and every field of knowledge. To be specific, Leonardo da Vinci’s craftsmanship extends to the different branches of human knowledge like architecture, science and engineering. Even now, Leonardo’s works are appreciated by the viewers, and this proves the universal appeal of his works in general. Besides, Leonardo provided ample importance to his career as an artist, but provided less importance to his personal life. Thesis statement: Leonardo da Vinci’s professional life, major accomplishments, and major influences prove that Leonardo is symbolic of the influence of Renaissance spirit on humanity in general. Earlier Life: Some important facts on Leonardo’s birth, early life, parents, childhood days, and education are examinable. First of all, he was born in the year 1452. In addition, his birthplace was in Vinci. Joanne Mattern stated that, “Leonardo da Vinci was born on April 15, 1452, in a town called Vinci, Italy” (8). His father was Ser Piero, and his mother was Caterina. His father was born in a wealthy family, but his mother was a peasant. He spent his early childhood with his mother. Later, Leonardo became under the control of his father. But Leonardo’s father did not try to be a role model to his son because he ignored Leonardo’s mother. For instance, Leonardo’s father married Albiera and Francesca Lanfredini. In short, Leonardo was raised in Florence, under the direct control of his father, and this deeply influenced his later life. But this did not affect his education because he received education in the Latin language, geometry, and math. Besides, hardships in early life helped Leonardo to turn his attention towards nature and to observe human relationship with nature. At the same time, Leonardo considered that art can help him to acquire mastery in different fields. Besides, he did not hesitate to learn new things in his life. So, one can see that all these factors molded Leonardo’s character. Personal life From a different angle of view, Leonardo considered that one’s personal life should not be shared with others. To be specific, his lifelong bachelorship, career centrism, and workaholic attitude hindered him from creating intimate relationships with women. Besides, his earlier life with his father may have instilled the feeling of hatred towards married life. But one must not misunderstand that Leonardo was not able to create and maintain cordial friendship with womenfolk. For instance, Leonardo maintained lifelong relationship with two women, named Beatrice and Isabella. Leonardo’s relationship with these women was so intimate because he painted Isabella’s portrait and carried the same with him. This proves that some women were allowed to enter Leonardo’s private domain without any restriction. From a different angle of view, Leonardo provided ample importance to his career and it reduced the scope of marriage in his life. In addition, Leonardo was a strict vegetarian. As an individual who is deeply interested in nature, vegetarianism and consideration towards living things deeply influenced his life philosophy. At the same time, Leonardo maintained a number of male friends in his private life. This helped him to be in touch with other fields of knowledge like mathematics, architecture, and military science. But Leonardo never disclosed his sexuality and never allowed strangers to enter his private circle. He passed away in the 16th century (say, in the year 1519). Professional life: Leonardo started his professional life with Verrocchio. John Malam stated that, “When Leonardo was in his teens, his father took him to the city of Florence to meet Andrea del Verrocchio, who was a well known artist” (8). One can see that the apprenticeship/service at Verrocchio’s studio transformed Leonardo into a renowned artist, especially as a painter. Besides, his cordial relation with Ludovico il Moro helped him be in the limelight of fame and enhance his artistic craftsmanship. Later, Leonardo spent his life in different parts of Europe, and this helped him to be in touch with a number of artists in Europe. But Leonardo made use of his professional relationships to exploit the scope of other fields like architecture and engineering. One can see easily identify the fact that Leonardo was deeply interested in experimentation. For instance, he worked as a military engineer in the year 1502. Within this context, Leonardo was deeply interested in architecture and engineering, especially in town planning and military architecture. In addition, he considered his professional career as an opportunity to acquire mastery in different fields. On the other side, Leonardo’s interest in other fields beyond painting reduced his productivity. Eugene Muntz stated that, “The artist Leonardo da Vinci embodies both modern intellect and the combination of superior expression in art and science: a thinker, a poet and a wizard, Leonardo da Vinci is an artist whose fascination is still unrivalled today” (7). But some of his findings were not considered as worthy during his lifetime. For example, Leonardo considered that human beings can fly with the help of machines. This helped him to think about the possibility of a flying machine. Later, this concept was developed and eventually led to the invention of helicopter. So, some of the concepts put forth by Leonardo in the fields like architecture, engineering, etc., proved to be successful in the modern world. Major accomplishments: Leonardo’s accomplishments are not limited to the context of art because it extends to different fields. But Sigmund Freud observed Leonardo’s talent from a different angle of view and pointed out that, “Though he left behind him masterpieces of painting, while his scientific discoveries remained unpublished and unused, the investigator in him never in the course of his development left the artist entirely free, but often made severe encroachments on him and perhaps in the end suppressed him” (8). Still, some of the most important accomplishments in the fields of art (painting), science, and engineering are discussed here. Paintings Generally, Leonardo’s fame is indebted to his attitude towards art, especially painting. Within this context, the Mona Lisa is generally considered as one of the most important paintings by Leonardo. One can easily identify that this painting’s fame is not limited to the scenario of art because the mysterious smile of the model conquered the minds of the viewers in general. Still, this painting is one of the best examples for Leonardo’s experimentation with light and shade technique. The background of the painting leads the viewers to a dreamy world because the shadowy quality of the foreground and the peculiar landscape in the background helps the viewers to realize the artistic mastery of the painter. In this painting, Leonardo did not try to follow the traditional technique of painting. Instead, he made use of the model’s mysterious smile to unleash his artistic talent. On the other side, the Last Supper belongs to the genre of mural painting. Within this context, Leonardo made use of a scene from Holy Bible to communicate with the viewers. One can see that Leonardo was deeply interested in creating mythical and religious characters. So, Leonardo’s works are symbolic of his interest in observation and experimentation. Inventions Leonardo considered science, engineering, and architecture as innovative mediums to unleash his talent in different branches of human knowledge. He was interested in scientific inventions and this helped him to develop a number machines, musical instruments, etc. But some of the inventions pointed out in his journals were impractical. At the same time, some of his inventions in the field of engineering like movable barricades proved to be effective and useful. So, some of the inventions by Leonardo were considered as impractical during his time. Later, these inventions proved to be effective and practical. But he never tried to test his scientific inventions, especially machines. To be specific, Leonardo confined most of his scientific inventions in his notebooks and journals and provided less importance to the same in his professional life. Major influences Within the context of art, the cultural characteristics of Florence deeply influenced Leonardo. Francesca Romei made it clear that, “By the time Leonardo arrived in Florence, the first fruits of the rebirth known as the Renaissance were clearly visible” (8). Besides, Leonardo spent his youth in Florence and this helped him to enhance his artistic talent. During his life in Florence, Leonardo was able to gain mastery in art, especially in painting. His apprenticeship at Verrocchio’s studio helped him learn the basics of painting. Besides, his master was a successful artist, and this helped him to realize the importance of painting as a profession. But Leonardo did not try to copy his master’s works. Instead, he tried to inculcate his observations into his works, and this helped him to conduct experimentations in the field of art. So, one can see that Leonardo’s master’s attitude towards art deeply influenced him. Some of the artists who deeply influenced Leonardo are Donatello and Masaccio. For instance, the fresco style of painting by Masaccio influenced Leonardo. In addition, Leonardo considered Masaccio’s experimentation with light and shade technique as innovative. At the same time, the humanist characteristics that can be seen in Donatello’s works helped Leonardo to inculcate the same theme in his later works. So, he accepted some elements from other artists and created his own painting technique. Later, architecture influenced Leonardo and he began to concentrate on different styles in architecture. For instance, Leonardo’s journals prove his deep interest in architecture. In short, a number of styles of art and artists influenced Leonardo, but he accepted some elements and created his own style. So, one can see that the amalgamation of inborn talent and the urge to gain mastery in different fields of knowledge helped Leonardo to be in the limelight of fame and success. Summing, Leonardo da Vinci’s fame is beyond the limits of art and architecture. Still, Leonardo’s commitment to professional life reduced the scope of marriage in his personal life. To be specific, Leonardo did not try to create cordial relationships with women because he was aware of the fact the same may hinder the growth and development of his career as an artist. His major accomplishments prove that his talent is not limited to the field of art. On the other side, Leonardo’s life with his father, his earlier life in Florence, his master’s attitude towards art, his friends, and contemporary artists deeply influenced his life and career. In short, Leonardo works prove that he can be considered as an important figure within the scenario of Renaissance and the development of humanity. Works Cited Freud, Sigmund. Leonardo Da Vinci: A Memory of His Childhood. Oxon: Routledge, 2001. Print. Muntz, Eugene. Leonardo da Vinci. London: Parkstone International, 2011. Print. Malam, John. Leonardo Da Vinci. Minnesota: Lerner Publications, 1999. Print. Mattern, Joanne. Leonardo Da Vinci. Minnesota: ABDO, 2005. Print. Romei, Francesca. Leonardo Da Vinci. Minneapolis: The Oliver Press, 2008. Print. Read More