Leonardo DaVinci - by Walter Isaacson

Continuing to be impressed by Isaacson’s writing, I delved into another of his biographies, this time centered around a character he couldn't directly shadow, relying solely on his research acumen. I was not disappointed.

Leonardo DaVinci is a historical figure challenging to fully comprehend based on our school education. While I knew of notable achievements like the Mona Lisa and the Last Supper, his accomplishments beyond painting were less familiar. I did have some insight into his engineering feats, such as the helicopter, from programs on the Discovery Channel. However, the connection between DaVinci's role in the Renaissance and engineering eluded me until this book provided clarity.

Isaacson meticulously traces DaVinci's life from his illegitimate birth in 1452 to his passing. The chronological storytelling method facilitated a seamless understanding of his masterpieces and the contexts in which they unfolded. Born to Ser Pedro and a peasant girl, Caterina, DaVinci was born illegitimate and faced limitations due to his illegitimacy. Despite his father's lineage of notaries, DaVinci's fate diverged, mainly because he wasn't entitled to the family business.  I also believe Ser Piero recognized this misalignment with Leonardo's aspirations and didn’t push it.

Leonardo began his artistic journey in Florence at 15, studying under Andrea del Verrocchio until the age of 25 in 1477. By 1482, at 30, he moved to Milan, leaving behind his first renowned commission, “The Adoration of the Magi.” DaVinci, already inclined toward engineering, was pushing back on painting as a way of life and was designing war machines, fortifications, and cities. Seeking new challenges, he sent a resume to the Duke of Milan, Ludovico Sforza, emphasizing his engineering skills rather than his artistry. He did find work as an engineer and designed many things over the years, while some things were built most were not. After various moves looking for an appointment he could get paid for, he ended up in France as the court painter to King Francis I, passing away on May 2, 1519, allegedly in the King’s arms.

The book's numerous tidbits offer a glimpse into DaVinci's brilliance. Despite lacking formal schooling, his self-taught expertise is awe-inspiring. The narrative reveals a person driven by curiosity, unwilling to rest until finding answers. At times, DaVinci resisted picking up a paintbrush and was reluctant to have his legacy solely defined by painting. However, he used sketching and painting as tools during his exploits and research, explaining things that wouldn’t be rediscovered for centuries. His limited publication of work left many treatises behind, resulting in inadequate credit. His anatomy work was a surprising revelation.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, delving into the life of one of history's most creative minds. It not only reveals unknown facets of DaVinci but also provides a historical backdrop and unravels some unsolved mysteries. A personal highlight was the anecdote about DaVinci's attempt to relocate Michelangelo's David to a less prominent place in Florence, adding a touch of friendly rivalry. My favorite DaVinci teaching is nothing in real life has lines but exists in various shades of blur or shadow, this has significantly altered my perspective on observation.