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Leonardo da Vinci (1452 - 1519)
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"Simplicity
is the ultimate sophistication." (- Leonardo da
Vinci)) |
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Leonardo
da Vinci) - a true 'Renaissance Polymath' |
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Leonardo
da Vinci has been at the helm of many inventions, scientific
theories, brilliant renaissance paintings, and sculptures.
His work has been subject to countless debates over the century.
Yet there has never been an artist who deserves the title
of a 'Genius', more than da Vinci does. |
| Leonardo da Vinci came from
a humble background and achieved universal acclaim during
his life through his wide array of work. The illegitimate
son of a local lawyer in the town of Vinci in Tuscan
region, Leonardo da Vinci, was rather self-sufficient.
It may not be incorrect to conclude that his lack of
proper upbringing did not affect his mind in any negative
manner. The savant was attributed with numerous talents,
and prime among them were a great singing voice, superlative
mathematical intelligence, tremendous understanding
of science, un-matched male beauty, and a magnificent
physique.
Leonardo da Vinci's overabundance
of gifts may have caused him to treat his artistry talent
flippantly, for he seldom finished a painting and usually
made rash technical experiments using his work. 'The
Last Supper', which is a fresco on the wall of the Santa
Maria delle Grazie Church in Milan, has almost disappeared
due to Leonardo da Vinci's inadequate preparations
for the fresco.
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However, it takes a da Vinci to produce
a 'piece de resistance' a la 'The Mona Lisa' (1503),
that has achieved the dizzying heights of popularity
and awe. The Mona Lisa has the innocent disadvantage
of being too renowned! People have tried to reproduce
this painting in every conceivable medium, but the mystery
and magic surrounding this cult figure remains intact
and stands in defiance to every effort made to comprehend
the secret behind the half smile of the subject.
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| In his lifetime, Leonardo da Vinci
painted portraits of three women, and they all have a
wistfulness and mystery surrounding them. This magical
quality is very appealing in 'Cecilia Gallarani' (1490)
and is at its provoking best in 'Ginevra de` Benci' (1478-1480).
All these three paintings are haunting, and almost spiritual
in their appeal - a technique very Leonardo da Vinci
like.
It was in 1482, that Leonardo moved
to Milan and offered his services as a military engineer,
sculptor, and painter to the ruler Ludovico Sforza, who
gladly accepted the services and financed the artist a
workshop. Leonardo da Vinci spent 18 years in the
service of Ludovico. 'The Virgin of the Rocks' (1482-1486)
was painted by Leonardo da Vinci for the Church
of S. Francesco Grande in 1483.
It was during the late 1480s that Leonardo
da Vinci began to experiment on a wide range of scientific
studies that included subjects such as botany, medicine,
anatomy, architecture, geography and many others. He left
behind several drawings and sketches of his experiments.
Moreover, he worked on the 'Treatise on Painting', a manual
of instruction (theoretical and practical) for painters
through much of his adult life.
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In 1499, da Vinci headed to Mantua and
then Venice. In 1500, he came back to Florence and painted
the 'Virgin and Child with St. Anne' (1502-1516). In 1516,
Leonardo da Vinci was appointed "the first painter,
engineer and architect of the King", Francis I of France.
He died in Cloux, France on 2 May 1519. He rests in peace
in the Church of St. Florentine in Amboise.
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Leonardo da Vinci's
work is unique for his treatment of hair that has an angelic
quality, and the lack of rigidity of contour in his forms.
His use of perspective to add depth to his frescos and pictures
is remarkable for the method of execution. |
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Rembrandt influenced Leonardo
da Vinci, but Leonardo's repertoire of work is too deep,
too dark, and too overpowering. |
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Rembrandt
influenced Leonardo da Vinci, but Leonardo's repertoire
of work is too deep, too dark, and too overpowering.
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"He who
despises painting has no love for the philosophy in nature."
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