Leonardo's code
While taking a break recently I watched The History Channel documentary about Leonardo Da Vinci. I remember studying about his art in college but this program gave more insight to his life and how he overcame adversity. His mother was not married when he was born which made him an outsider among the Italian community. His uncle guided him to a local painters studio where artists studied under the owners instruction. Da Vinci understood that painting involved science and proportion and he began to realize that his talent was surpassing his Master's. In addition to painting he also provided design plans for battles to Italian leaders. I was unaware that Leonardo had designed so many weapons of war such as the first "tank". About the age of 50 he crossed paths with a 25 year old named Michelangelo but they did not get along well. Throughout his life Da Vinci continued to draw and attempt his flying machines along with other inventions. The narrarator explained that Leonardo was driven to understand as much as possible about the world and mankind. He had realized that animals kill in order to eat but humans kill simply because they can. In his later years he would return to painting and carried the Mona Lisa with him as he travelled until his death.
posted by artmath at Thursday, December 15, 2005
