There probably has never been another individual that could compare to Da Vinci as a visionary of science and technology. His contributions, writings and drawings have lived through time and continue to influence our lives.

Most individuals really do not know how important Da Vinci really was to the world of science and technology. He is thought of primarily as a painter and sculptor. His genius continues to be admired by some and forgotten by most.

Leonardo conceptualized many inventions that were never tested during his lifetime. He was most definitely one of the most brilliant minds and scientist that the world has ever seen.

Leonardo is most well known as a painter and artist. His two most famous works are the Mona Lisa and the Last Supper. There are many other great works by Da Vinci however, these are the ones for which he is most known.

The Mona Lisa also known as La Gioconda has been immortalized through movies, songs, and writings for years. It really gained popularity in 1911 when it was stolen from the Louvre. It was recovered in a Florence hotel two years later.
The painting was commissioned by Francesco Giocando of his wife Lisa for their new home to celebrate the birth of their son, Andrea. Leonardo loved the painting so much that he always carried it with him until it sold in France to Francois I.

Style of Painting

The entire background of the Mona Lisa is a landscape. Near twilight is depicted. Leonardo favored this type of lighting for portraiture. He used shadow techniques to draw the viewer closer to the subject of the portrait. Focus and blur technique is an example of this in the Mona Lisa. Her hands are areas of light that emerge from the shadowy background.

Sfumato is the famous invention of Da Vinci - light and shade that allow one form to blend in with another leaving something to the imagination. This applies to the corners of Mona Lisa' mouth and eyes which explains why she may look different at other times.

Conservation and Clean Up

In 1809 there was an extensive clean up process of the Mona Lisa resulting in a washed out appearance of her face and hands. X-rays have revealed at least 3 other versions under the current painting.

The Last Supper is a mural painted between 1495-98
for Duke Ludovico Sforza and his duchess Beatrice d'Este. This painting represents the final days of Jesus as told in the Gospel of John 13:21. Jesus announces that one of his apostles is about to betray him.

Leonardo worked as a sculptor as a young man. He talks about this in his writings as do others. He considered sculpture dirty work.

Da Vinci Studied under Verrocchio and Vasari, the first modern historian of art recorded that he made sculptures of the heads of women laughing. Several other sculptures that might be attributed to him are the Bust of a Woman with Flowers, A Horse and Rider and The Young Christ. With the Bust of a Woman with Flowers, you have the first time in Renaissance art in which a bust is displayed with the hands showing. There is also a small group of generals heads in marble and plaster which are attributed to him.

Another little known fact about Da Vinci. In 1504-15-05 Leonardo drew The David of Michelangelo with Variations. He was then invited to join a committee composed by the Florentine Republic to determine the site on which to place the statue.

Leonardo was said to have shown at an early age exceptional ability in geometry, music and art. His father took his drawings to Andrea del Verrocchio in Florence. He was so impressed with the young artist that he took him under his wing.

Leonardo became very interested in actual dissections. Most anatomist were interested in internal dissection while Leonardo was interested in the external details of the human form.

Probably one of the most famous anatomical drawings in history is Davinci's "Virtuvian Man".The drawing shows the body as it relates to a circle.

His greatest contributions to anatomy are still being used by modern day physicians. He was able to create a system of drawings that would enable physicians and anatomist to present their teachings and findings to students. The system involved the presentation four views in order that every angle could be shown at once