"His mind and personality seem to us superhuman, while the man himself mysterious and remote." This is what they said about the universal man or the polymath or Leonardo da Vinci. The works Leonardo did across so many areas of study are considered exceptional and quite literally, superhuman. He had it all, the traits of a dreamy man, a large brain, beauty, and basically the features of a gentle human being.
Leonardo was born out of wedlock in Italy on April 1452 and had no legitimate last name. The term "da Vinci" implies "of Vinci", stating; Leonardo of Vinci. That was where he was born. Leonardo had no formal education, he studied at a studio of a renowned Italian painter Andrea del Varrocchio. It might surprise you, he is best known not only for one work, but numerous, like: Painting, drawing, sculpting, science, engineering, architecture, and anatomy. Though his famous works includes paintings but he didn't paint that much. Only 17 of his painting remain as of today. The most famous of course, is Mona Lisa. When Leonardo applied for a job with the ruler of Milan at the age of 30, he listed his interests in military engineering to science to architecture and included an afterthought, "I can also paint."
Another famous work of Leonardo is his notebooks. His personal notebooks includes drawing and notes on science and invention; anatomy, astronomy, botany, cartography, painting, and paleontology. Also the items on the notebook were; list of groceries and people who owed him money. Most of his works were destroyed later by war. But one stands out, "The Codex Leicester" a collection of scientific writings by Leonardo. It was written between 1506-1510 and is of 72 pages. Currently it is owned by Bill Gates. Gates has enormous respect and admiration for da Vinci.
In 1994, Bill Gates bought this book for $30.8 million dollars! Yes, it is true, making it one of the most expensive books ever sold. It is told that Leonardo had written 13,000 pages of notes and drawing. Talking about his imagination and forecast, he had a gem of a brain, he conceptualized: flying machines, armored fighting vehicle, concentrated solar power, and many more. This was more than 500 years ago! Sometimes he is also credited with the inventions of the parachute, helicopter, and tank.
As if all of this is not enough, he spent ten months as a senior military architect and general engineer. Talk about being universal! He was also fascinated by human body, he performed 30 dissections at hospitals in Milan, France, and Rome. He loved animals, he was a vegetarian, and had the habit of purchasing caged birds and setting them free. Such was Leonardo da Vinci, a superhuman. His death came when he was 67, in France, possibly of a stroke. Leonardo had become close friends with Francis, the then king of France. It is believed that Francis held him in his arms as he died.
Still hundreds of years later, Leonardo continues to become one of the prolific men that ever lived. To end, I am dropping my favorite quotes from Leonardo da Vinci.
Art is never finished, only abandoned.
He who does not punish evil, commands it to be done.
The greatest deception men suffer is from their own opinions.
Nice one ❤️
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