Leonardo da Vinci

Author: (Italian) Leonardo da Vinci
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-08-01
Features: Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) was born in Vinci, near Florence, Italy. His father was a renowned notary, and the family was wealthy. From a young age, Leonardo showed a talent for painting, creating lifelike drawings of small animals. His father sent him to the workshop of his friend, the famous painter and sculptor Verrocchio, as an apprentice. Upon arriving at the workshop, Verrocchio gave Leonardo an egg to paint. Leonardo quickly drew several, but the teacher asked him to continue. This went on for several days. Finally, Leonardo grew impatient, thinking the teacher underestimated him by having him paint such a simple object. The teacher noticed his frustration and said meaningfully, "This egg is not simple. No two eggs in the world are exactly alike, and even the same egg looks different depending on the angle and lighting." Leonardo suddenly realized that his teacher was trying to train him to observe things and grasp forms. From then on, he devoted himself to practicing painting skills and studying various arts and sciences, laying a solid foundation for his later outstanding achievements in painting and other fields. At the time, painting themes and techniques were restricted by the feudal church, but Leonardo's thoughts were not bound by these constraints; he valued liberation and freedom. In 1476, Verrocchio was commissioned to paint "The Baptism of Christ," and Leonardo served as his assistant. However, the religious figures painted by the teacher were rigid and lifeless. Leonardo added only a side view of an angel in one corner of the painting, yet it was full of human spirituality, appearing lively and natural. Compared to the teacher's work, Leonardo's creation shone in contrast. The stubborn teacher, on one hand, was amazed by his student's talent, but on the other, felt inferior and abandoned painting to focus on sculpture. Leonardo pursued painting with unwavering dedication throughout his life, leaving behind many timeless masterpieces. Among the most famous are "The Last Supper" and "Mona Lisa." "The Last Supper" is a mural Leonardo painted for the refectory of the Santa Maria delle Grazie monastery in Milan, based on the biblical story of Jesus being betrayed by his disciple Judas. In this work, Leonardo masterfully captured the instant reactions of his twelve disciples after Jesus said, "One of you will betray me." Through each disciple's unique expression, you can discern their personalities and complex inner thoughts. The composition highlights Jesus, with the disciples on either side in harmony. The central Jesus sits solemnly, his brightness contrasted by the bright windows in the background. Judas, the traitor, is placed in the darkest part of the painting, looking panicked, symbolizing his corrupt nature and forming a stark contrast with Jesus. In this painting, Leonardo used realistic techniques to celebrate truth and justice while condemning the betrayal and evil forces. To create this work, Leonardo put in extraordinary effort. To accurately portray Judas, he observed criminals, thugs, and gamblers in various settings, repeatedly studying their attitudes, expressions, and postures, and drew numerous sketches until he was satisfied. The immense success of this painting made it so that later artists dared not touch the same theme. "Mona Lisa" is a portrait of the wife of Leonardo's friend. To paint it, Leonardo first studied her psychology, even arranging for harpists and singers to perform for her to maintain her cheerful mood. Leonardo captured the enchanting smile of Mona Lisa with incredible precision, using delicate brushwork to depict her subtle emotions. Even today, when you look at this painting, you can still feel the captivating power of her smile. Leonardo was not only an exceptionally talented artist but also a versatile scientist. He devoted significant time and effort to scientific research, achieving great success. He deeply observed and studied animals, plants, geology, and even the human body itself. He also mimicked bird wings to design a flying machine similar to an airplane. He invented advanced spinning machines, high-efficiency machine tools, and presses, and was the first to propose the concept of geology. He also accurately and comprehensively described human bones, muscles, and body proportions. His scientific practices provided a source of inspiration for future scientists. Due to his radical bourgeois humanist political views, Leonardo suffered long-term persecution from feudal religious forces. In 1517, at the age of 65, he was forced to leave his homeland and settle in France. Two years later, this artistic giant passed away.