Interview with Leonardo da Vinci - Research Paper Example

What was your motivation in doing this piece? Leonardo: I wish to indicate that I did this painting during a trying moment in my painting career. I was working with my teacher and I had to prove to him that his sacrifice and effort in teaching me art was not in vain. It was a moment to vindicate myself and display my passion for art. This brought a turn around in my art work. Verrocchio put down his brush when he looked at what I had done and decided that he would never paint again (Schoenberg & Trudeau 87).

I had purposed to prove to him that I was a right tool in his hands that I would take art to the level that would impact coming generations. The painting of Jesus enabled me to show my mentor my potential, confidence, and zeal as a painter and sculptor. When, Verrocchio left and retired from painting as a result of my wonderful work, I felt challenged because this meant that I had to step in the shoes of my mentor and keep my standards high. The vision and burden of Verrocchio fell on my shoulders as he felt that I had achieved more that he thought I would have.

He had confidence in me and believed that I would take painting to the next level. Having an opportunity to serve your master and mentor is both honorable and testing for apprentices since it reveals who you are after undergoing the training. Question 3: Why are your works famous? Leonardo: Starting from Mona Lisa to the Last Supper, and The Virgin of the Rocks, I present a variety of artistic qualities that make my works unique and different. In the works, I applied innovation and high level creativity in the use of paint (Klein & Henri 102).

Secondly, I my knowledge of botany and anatomy have been an advantage to me. Using the knowledge that I have at these two subjects, I have been able to paint the human form symbolically and figuratively. Question 4: What are some of the dark and happy moments in your career? Leonardo: The happiest time in my career was the honor and reverence I received from King Francis 1. He liked my artistic works and even gave me his own house to live in as gratitude and appreciation for the painting that I had done.

This motivated me toward greater strides to become an expert in painting. My darkest hour was when I was unable to cast a project that involved making a dome for the Milan Cathedral. Michelangelo insulted me for being unable to cast the piece. This was challenging since he was a junior artist and I was supposed to be a role model to him. It becomes discouraging when a young artist scolds a mature and professional artist. Interview with Michelangelo Question 1: You criticized Leonardo da Vinci for his inability to cast a piece for the Milan Cathedral.

Don’t you think this was too harsh? Michelangelo: As a result of my zeal for taking art to a high level, I felt that Leonardo was a unique artist that would not have failed in casting the project (Vasari 67). I scolded him not because I hated him, but just to challenge considering the generational gap between us. However, I revere him for his deep knowledge and skill in artwork. Question 2: In your artistic work Last Judgment, why did you use nude figures? Michelangelo: Last Judgment has greatly been criticized by many quarters.

Many consider it a disgrace. Indeed I am a Christian. I did the work for a church servant, the pope. However, I wish to indicate