Leonardo da Vinci: The Genius of Knowledge
January 03, 2025. Text by manu da costa. Piece with artist magazine.
Leonardo da Vinci, one of the most well-rounded geniuses in the history of humanity, was born on April 15, 1452, in Vinci, a small town in the Tuscany region of Italy. The illegitimate son of a notary and a peasant woman, his life was marked by an insatiable desire to understand the world around him. His legacy spans not only art but also science, engineering, anatomy, and architecture, making him the paradigm of the Renaissance man: a person who was not limited to a single discipline but sought to integrate knowledge from all areas of learning.
Leonardo began his artistic training at the age of 14 in the workshop of the painter and sculptor Andrea del Verrocchio in Florence, where he refined his technique and met other key figures of the Renaissance, such as Sandro Botticelli, Pietro Perugino, and Lorenzo di Credi. During his time in the workshop, Leonardo not only developed his technical skill but also began to explore the natural sciences, becoming interested in human anatomy, engineering, and optics.
In the early years of his career, Leonardo was deeply influenced by the ideas of the Renaissance, a cultural movement that promoted a return to the study of classical antiquity, the observation of nature, and the pursuit of knowledge. However, Leonardo went beyond this movement, incorporating a unique sense of detailed observation and an experimental approach that led him to conduct scientific research that never came to fruition but would leave a lasting impact on the history of science.
Throughout his life, Leonardo produced a small number of works, each of such quality and depth that the history of art has never been able to match them. His painting is not only characterized by prodigious technique but also by its ability to express human emotions and capture the essence of nature with almost scientific precision. Additionally, his works explore the use of light, shadow, perspective, and human anatomy in ways that revolutionized the art of his time. Among his most famous works, we highlight:
Last Supper (1495-1498).
One of Leonardo’s most famous and revered works is “Last Supper”, painted in the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan. This fresco depicts the moment when Jesus announces to his apostles that one of them will betray him. The work is a model of emotional, compositional, and technical complexity.
From an artistic perspective, “Last Supper” is a masterpiece in the handling of perspective. Leonardo uses perfect linear perspective, concentrating all attention on the figure of Christ, placed at the center. The arrangement of the apostles, organized in groups of three, reflects the emotional tension of the moment, as each one reacts uniquely to the announcement. Additionally, the expressiveness of the faces, the attention to detail in the hands, and the innovative use of space make this work one of the pinnacles of the Renaissance.
However, the work also presents criticisms regarding its deterioration: the use of an experimental technique instead of traditional fresco led to the painting’s disintegration over time. Nevertheless, its symbolic power and the complexity of its elements ensure that *The Last Supper* remains one of the most studied works in the history of art.
Mona Lisa (1503-1506).
Perhaps Leonardo’s most famous painting, “Mona Lisa” (also known as La Gioconda), is a portrait of Lisa Gherardini, the wife of a wealthy Florentine merchant. The work is known for the enigmatic smile of the woman, which has puzzled critics and viewers for centuries.
The main merit of “Mona Lisa” lies in Leonardo’s technical mastery of light and shadow, which creates a sense of depth and realism in the woman’s face. The sfumato technique, which involves softening the contours to create gradual transitions between light and shadow, is masterfully used in this portrait. The background landscape, which presents an idealized and distant world, complements the figure of the woman and reinforces the sense of mystery and timelessness.
On a symbolic level, “Mona Lisa” has been the subject of numerous interpretations. Some critics suggest that the woman’s smile is a reflection of human ambiguity, a play of light that suggests both serenity and unease. It is a work that, due to its ambiguous nature, has sparked endless debates about the meaning behind the expression of the woman, granting it an almost mythical aura.
Vitruvian Man (1490).
Although not a painting, “Vitruvian Man” is one of Leonardo’s most famous drawings. This work depicts a naked man inscribed within a circle and a square, a representation of the ideal proportions of the human body according to the Roman architect Vitruvius.
The drawing not only has artistic value but also reflects Leonardo’s interest in science, especially human anatomy. The detailed study of the human figure and its relationship to mathematical proportions is one of the aspects that define Leonardo’s multidisciplinary approach, as he saw art and science as complementary fields. The work is an example of how Leonardo tried to merge the laws of art with those of nature.
The Virgin of the Rocks (1483-1486).
In this work, Leonardo presents the Virgin Mary with the Child Jesus, Saint John the Baptist, and an angel, set against a rocky landscape that gives the painting its name. Through the sfumato technique, Leonardo makes the figures appear almost ethereal, blending them gently with the background.
This painting is innovative in its representation of spatial depth and the emotional interaction between the characters. The figure of the Virgin is surrounded by a mystical atmosphere, but the subtle interaction between the characters and the sensory quality of the landscape elevate this work beyond the purely religious, making it a testament to Leonardo’s ability to capture human psychology in his works.
Salvator Mundi (1500).
A Renaissance masterpiece that blends art, science, and spirituality. The painting depicts Christ as the “Savior of the World,” with a luminous halo and a gesture of blessing, while holding a crystal orb, symbolizing the universe. Leonardo’s *sfumato* technique creates an ethereal atmosphere, highlighting the softness of the face and hands, with an enigmatic gaze that oscillates between the human and the divine. The debate over its authenticity, following its rediscovery and auction, only adds to its mystery. Beyond its exceptional technique, the work invites reflection on the relationship between the human and the transcendent, becoming a timeless symbol of Leonardo’s genius and the enduring fascination with his art.
Leonardo da Vinci, with his extraordinary talent and multidisciplinary approach, left an indelible mark on both art and science. His ability to observe nature, his technical mastery, and his constant pursuit of perfection make him one of the most influential artists in history. Although his artistic output was limited in quantity, the quality and depth of his works continue to challenge and fascinate generations of viewers and experts alike.