The Legendary Artist Leonardo Da Vinci - Research Paper Example

17 February Leonardo Da Vinci: The Legendary Artist Leonardo Da Vinci (1452-1519) was a multifaceted genius, who lived during the Italian Renaissance period. His contributions in the fields of painting, sculpture, engineering as well as writing will remain the most cherished legacies to the human kind. Birth and Early Training: Leonardo Da Vinci was born in a small town known as Vinci from which his surname derives and his actual birth date is “not known with any certainty” (Brockwell 3). He was the eldest son to his father, Ser Piero, and mother, Caterina, and his talent came to fore when his father recognized the “remarkable character of his son’s genius” and took some his works to a friend, Andrea Del Verrocchio (Brockwell 4). The latter was highly impressed with the boy’s talent and Leonardo thus “entered the studio” of an artist and sculptor, where he met several other craftsmen, including Botticelli and Lorenzo Di Credi (Brockwell 4). The interaction he had with many such artists had a profound impact on him and it also bred in him a sense of competition. The most unique trait about Da Vinci was that he had ventured into all areas of “human learning” and left an indelible mark there (Brokwell 4). He, thus, nurtured a yearning for attaining perfection over his peers and became one of the most renowned artists in this world. His legacy to the human civilization came from a wide range of disciplines such as science, art, philosophy, sculpture, architecture, mathematics, engineering, writing and music. Important Events in Life: Leonardo Da Vinci had a lot to offer the world and he was greatly influenced by the time he was born in, the Renaissance period. His genius was further enhanced and shaped by the art training he underwent in Florence, a city prominent for its art. His apprenticeship under A D Verrocchio lasted for seventeen years. In the year 1469, Lorenzo and Giuliano de Medici embraced their duty to rule Florence as heirs to the throne, after the death of their father. This was good news for Leonardo, as both of them were art lovers and they understood full and well the significance of art. In 1472, Leonardo “became a member of the painter’s guild” of Florence, as he was qualified to be master just like the rest of the members (Koestler-Grack 128). His earliest work is thought to be the portrait of the ‘Feast of Santa Maria delle Neve,’ which he painted in 1473. In 1476, Leonardo was charged with an “anonymous accusation of sodomy,” but later the charge was dropped as there were no valid evidences (Greenberg 308). Leonardo “witnesses” “Bernardo di Bandio” being executed in 1479, and he inscribes this in his notebook (Koestler-Grack 128). In 1482, Lorenzo de’ Medici sent Leonardo to Milan, in the hope of making peace with the duke, Ludovico Sforza. Before his visit to the duke, Leonardo sent him a letter, where he explained that he could be of great assistance, as he knew the techniques to build portable bridges, armoured vehicles, catapults, canons etc. Therefore, he was made the principle engineer there and it was his ideas and techniques that were deployed in the construction. This also revealed the fact that Leonardo was a very good architect. In the year 1488, Leonardo is gravely affected as his teacher Verrocchio succumbs to death. Leonardo renders his service to the duke until 1499, when the French invades Milan and seizes control over it. During this time he escapes to Venice, along with Salai his assistant and Luca Pacioli, the mathematician. Two years later Leonardo decides to serve under Cesare Borgia, Pope Alexander VI’s son, both as an architect as well as an engineer. The next year, he goes to Florence and joins the guild once again where he resumes his painting. In 1506, Charles dAmboise, the French governor calls upon Leonardo, to which the latter responds immediately and leaves for Milan, where he is made the court painter to the ruling king in power, Louis XII. In 1513, Leonardo moves to Rome, where his scientific interests are kindled and he begins exploring the properties of mirrors. In the year 1515, Francois I again becomes the ruler of Milan and right in the next year Leonardo enters into the scene, under the service of the former. The king presents to him a manor house near his own abode and it is here that Leonardo’s last couple of years were lived. He had Francesco Melzi by his side to support him through his final years and he also had a whopping pension of 10,000 scudi. In the year 1519, Leonardo da Vinci was cheated by death in his house and, needless to say, the world lost a very precious element of its own existence, the great Leonardo. Most Significant Works: The time when Leonardo started painting was the time in people’s life when they looked for new doors, it was the time for exploration. Columbus and other explorers searched for new lands to conquer according to their likes, whereas artists like Leonardo understood that they could paint according to their own perspectives. He also believed that he could paint pictures that stored in them various human emotions. Leonardo is renowned worldwide for his paintings which were nothing short of perfection. The most significant of his works, the ‘Mona Lisa,’ is still a mystery to the whole of mankind. Firstly, it is the fact is still unknown about who the subject of the painting really is, although it is believed that “Leonardo began to paint for Francesco del Giocondo a portrait for his wife, Mona Lisa” (Giunti 236). It has not yet been fully confirmed if the lady in the picture is actually smiling or not. The enigmatic appearance of the painting is achieved through a technique discovered by Leonardo himself, the “sfumato,” in which the colors “turn slowly from light to dark tones” (ARTIST: Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) 1). His other famous works include The Last Supper (1495), Annuncition to the Virgin (1477), the Adoration of the Magi (1481), Virgin of the Rocks (1483), sculpting of the ‘Bronze Horse,’ as a token of his love and appreciation to Ludovico Sforza, John the Baptist (1515) etc. His painting the Adoration of the Magi, is seen to be profound with “new energy to the communion of inner and outer selves” (Maiorino 54). Though the painting is not complete it is still known to be one of his best masterpieces. The Last Supper, though has undergone various damages due to the undoing of time, it still remains “an object of wonder,” with its intricate details bathed in mosaic (Gage 166). Leonardo has also contributed a lot to science through his various inventions, especially the flying machines he made. His scientific inventions just like his art were based on careful experimentations and were achieved through his sheer dedication and also his genius. Conclusion: It becomes clear from the paper that Leonardo da Vinci was indeed a great treasure to mankind as well as the world. His genius coupled with his lust for exploration have rendered the humans with ideas and art that would change their lives forever. In Mexico, the 17th General Assembly of the IAA, as of April 5, 2011, has declared “April 15” as “World Art Day” (IAA 1). Therefore, it does not stem as a surprise that he is still remembered to this day. All for one knows it can be said that the contributions he made and as well as he himself will remain in the hearts of people throughout the generations to come and till the end of time. Works Cited Brockwell, Maurice W. Leonardo Da Vinci. Kissinger Publishing. 2004. Web. 17 Feb 2013. Koestler-Grack, Rachel A. Leonardo Da Vinci: Artist, Inventor, and Renaissance Man. Chelsea House Publishers. 2006. Web. 17 Feb 2013. Greenberg, David F. The Construction of Homosexuality. The University of Chicago. 1988. Web. 17 Feb 2013. Giunti Editore. Leonardo da Vinci: Artist Scientist Inventor. Giunti Industrie Grafiche. 2005. Web. 17 Feb 2013. Maiorino, Giancarlo. Leonardo Da Vinci: The Daedalian Mythmaker. Pennsylvania State University. 1992. Web. 17 Feb 2013. Gage, John. Goethe on Art. University of California Press Berkeley and Los Angeles. 1980. Web. 17 Feb 2013. Read More