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Da Vinci The Artist
"It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things."
-- Leonardo Da Vinci.
A
painter, a sculptor, an architect and an engineer, Leonardo Da Vinci's
numerous skills have earned him the title of renaissance master. Da Vinci's
fascination with science and his in-depth study of human anatomy aided
him in mastering the realist art form. While Leonardo's counterparts were
known to create static figures in their works, Leonardo always tried to
incorporate movement and expression into his own paintings. All the personages
in his works are painted with great accuracy and detail that it is sometimes
said that Da Vinci painted from the bones outward.
Having lived until the age of 67, Leonardo experienced a very long career that was filled with times during which the painter was celebrated, but at times he was also humiliated and cast away. His life experiences all influenced his works and often, his paintings never left the sketchpad, or were only partially completed, as Leonardo often abandoned his commissions in order to flee from social situations.
Today, there are records of only few Da Vinci paintings, and 20 notebooks. Thankfully, these works have been preserved over the hundreds of years since Leonardo's time, and while his works are scattered in different areas of the globe, everyone can enjoy Da Vinci through the numerous books detailing his life, or through any of the many Da Vinci posters that have been printed.
A
well known master in the history of art, Leonard Da Vinci is renown by
people all over the map, and those of us who cannot travel to view the
true works that the genius created can at least bring home a piece of
him when we buy Da Vinci posters or prints. His most famous paintings,
and the most popular Da Vinci posters around, are those of The
Last Supper, The Mona Lisa
and Vitruvian Man: The
Proportions of the Human Figure. These works, displayed in
Milan and Paris respectively, are among the most influential works ever
created.
Beyond the purchase of a book of paintings or Da Vinci posters or prints, there are many resources and much literature detailing Leonardo's life. But for those who want a quick study, The Leonardo Timeline offers a glance through the artist's life, while the biography section of this site offers a more detailed view of Leonardo Da Vinci and what shaped the man and his many talents.
Also learn about Leonardo Da Vinci inventions, Leonardo Da Vinci Sculptures, and Mona Lisa History.