Leonardo Da Leonardo Da VinciVinci

(1452-1519)(1452-1519)The

“Renaissance Man”

"The noblest pleasure is the joy of understanding." – Leonardo Da Vinci

Born in Vinci, Italy, an illegitimate son to a peasant woman and a successful notary, he began his life facing hardship and obscurity.

With no privilege of a formal education, Da Vinci launched a self-education program.

He grew up in nature, and began to use his keen skill of observation to learn about the world around him.

Leonardo was educated in the studio of the renowned Florentine painter Verrocchio.

Leonardo Da Vinci

Accomplishmentsof Leonardo Da Vinci

Scientist

Mathematician

Engineer

Inventor

Botanist

Musician

Writer

Zoologist

Anatomist

Painter

Sculptor

Architect

Aerodynamics

Hydrodynamics

Cartography

Philosophy

Curious as well as observant, he constantly tried to explain what he saw.

Because he wrote down and sketched so many of his observations, we know that he was among the very first to take a scientific approach towards understanding how our world works and how we see it

Leonardo’s desire to paint things realistically was bold and fresh, and eventually became the standard for painters who followed in the 16th century

Went beyond his teaching by making a scientific study of light and shadow in nature

Objects were not comprised of outlines, but were actually 3-D bodies defined by light and shadow

Art

Mona LisaOr

"la Gioconda"

Mystery of the Mona LisaMystery of the Mona Lisa

• He recorded in his notebooks the records of model sittings; but records of the Mona Lisa model sitting are nowhere to be found

• Theories are that Leonardo painted himself, and this theory is supported by analyzing the facial features of Leonardo’s face and that of the famous painting

• If the features of the face were placed on top of each other, and flipped, they would align perfectly

• Also, it has been x-rayed and there currently 3 different versions of it underneath the current one.

The Last Supper

Virgin of the Rocks

A Self-Portrait of Himself

The Adoration of the Magi

Science

• Natural science• Mathematical studies

• Engineering and invention

• Natural science• Mathematical studies

• Engineering and invention

Natural ScienceNatural Science

• Light• Light • Botany• Botany

• Geology• Geology • Hydrodynamics• Hydrodynamics

Human anatomyHuman anatomy

• Topographic anatomy

• Topographic anatomy

• Dissection• Dissection

The detail with which Leonardo Da Vinci observed, recorded, drew, documented his medical findings set an example for researchers and medical practitioners for centuries to come.

The zealousness with which Leonardo Da Vinci searched for answers set an example for all of the world.

Mathematical studiesMathematical studies

• Perspective• Perspective • Geometry• Geometry

TheVitruvian

Man

TheVitruvian

Man

Engineering and inventionEngineering and invention

• War machines

• War machines

• Bridges and hydraulics

• Bridges and hydraulics

• Practical inventions and projects

• Practical inventions and projects

• Flight• Flight

• Leverage ,cantilevering, pulleys, cranks, gears, including angle gears, pinion gears, lubrication systems and bearings

• Leverage ,cantilevering, pulleys, cranks, gears, including angle gears, pinion gears, lubrication systems and bearings

• 1502, Leonardo produced a drawing of a single span 240 m bridge as part of a civil engineering project for Ottoman Sultan .The bridge was intended to span an inlet at the mouth of the Bosporus known as the Golden Horn

• 1502, Leonardo produced a drawing of a single span 240 m bridge as part of a civil engineering project for Ottoman Sultan .The bridge was intended to span an inlet at the mouth of the Bosporus known as the Golden Horn

• Giant Crossbow,

• 33-Barreled Organ,

• Triple Barrel Canon

• Giant Crossbow,

• 33-Barreled Organ,

• Triple Barrel Canon

• Parachute

• Light  Hang Glider

• Aerial Screw

• Parachute

• Light  Hang Glider

• Aerial Screw

MachinesMachines• War machines-Armored car, firearm with screw elevating gear, machine for storming walls, hoist

for lifting cannons, eight barreled organ, automatic igniting device, hull rammer, giant cross bow, ballista for hurling stones, scythed chariot, split-trail gun carriage, and many more.

• Flying machines-Aerial screw, device for testing beating wings, flying ship, articulated wing, parachute, anemometer, flapping-wing machine with vertical bearing, wing structure, inclinometer, wing-beating device with a screw and lead screw system, leaf spring engine for flying machine.

• Work machines-Self propelled car, pillar lifting machine, pile driver, drilling machine, revolving crane, machine for threading screws, machine for making mirrors, machine for making ropes, winged spindle, distiller with continuous cooling system, pulleys, mechanical drum, odometer, gold foraging hammer, fan, rollers for friction studies, machine for digging trenches, and more.

• Water and Land machines-Sluice gate hatch, lagoon dredge, paddle boat, webbed glove, drop-bottom float, floats for walking on water, fast-construction bridge, boat with paddle wheels, diving bell, bilge pump, device for measuring water turning to steam, double hull, auto-feed hydraulic saw, mobile-ram boat (assault battleship).

Observations: Journals & codicesObservations: Journals & codices

• Leonardo kept a series of journals in which he wrote almost daily, as well as separate notes and sheets of observations, comments and plans.

• He wrote and drew with his left hand, and most of his writing is in mirror script, which makes it difficult to read.

• Much has survived to illustrate Leonardo's studies, discoveries and inventions.

• Leonardo kept a series of journals in which he wrote almost daily, as well as separate notes and sheets of observations, comments and plans.

• He wrote and drew with his left hand, and most of his writing is in mirror script, which makes it difficult to read.

• Much has survived to illustrate Leonardo's studies, discoveries and inventions.

A genius, according to wikipedia.com, is a person with great intelligence, who shows an exceptional natural capacity of intellect, especially as shown in creative and original work. Geniuses always show strong individuality and imagination, and are not only intelligent, but unique and innovative.

Leonardo gained his intimate knowledge of the world despite lacking a formal education and despite facing seemingly insurmountable odds.

He wrote out ideas, filling 20,000 pages of notes which are still studied today.

His art and paintings are admired millions.

His interests, enthusiasm boundless. His work is not only creative and original, but revolutionary.

Why he’s a genius

Mysteries of Da VinciMysteries of Da Vinci

• It is thought that Leonardo Da Vinci was dyslexic.• Most of the time, he wrote his notes backwards. Why did

Leonardo write from right-to-left, in mirror image? Although unusual, this is a trait shared by many left-handed dyslexic people. Most of the time, dyslexic writers are not even consciously aware that they are writing this way.

• It is thought that Leonardo Da Vinci was dyslexic.• Most of the time, he wrote his notes backwards. Why did

Leonardo write from right-to-left, in mirror image? Although unusual, this is a trait shared by many left-handed dyslexic people. Most of the time, dyslexic writers are not even consciously aware that they are writing this way.

Despite being a genius, Da Vinci also had much mystery surrounding him. In fact, here are a few interesting thoughts:

“There are three classes of people: those who see, those who see when they are shown, those who do not see.”

-Leonardo Da Vinci

It's easier to resist at the beginning than at the end.

-Leonardo Da Vinci