I remember going to the Met (Metropolitan Museum of Art) way, way back. I was 12 years old. And, that visit happened to be on the 34th birthday of Martin Luther King. (No, that’s NOT why we were visiting the museum.)
You see, the Met had arranged with the Louvre to show the Mona Lisa (and a slew of other Da Vinci objects) to the folks of New York- and those willing to travel to see the exhibit.
I was mesmerized- but not by the Mona Lisa itself. I bought a book about Da Vinci’s life (mostly about his sci-tech endeavors, not his painting). After that visit, I began writing backwards in my lab books, just like Da Vinci did. And, Leonardo was also a lefty! As I further learned, Leonardo was also an overachiever. What a perfect role example for someone with sci-tech aspirations. Oh, and Leonard considered himself a techie first- and an artist second. (He wrote to Ludovico Sforza, the leader of Milan, stating just that!)
Leonardo was not perfect, either. His notebooks demonstrate that he was either careless or in a rush- because his arithmetic computations often fell short of being correct. Moreover, he was often more intuitive than didactic- using geometry and spatial considerations- yet avoiding mathematical equations.
I am fairly certain I became a polymath because Leonardo was among my childhood heroes. Leonardo was dying to know more about everything. OK. Not everything- just things that intrigued him. Consider but a few- aviation, water travel, painting, bridges, among many other disciplines. (He used this knowledge to render his paintings breathtaking- like the perspective in the Last Supper or Mona Lisa’s smile.)
He described how to observe things. (Examine each item separately- and, then, in detail.) Seek out patterns. Moreover, the method of recording what one sees and discerns is a critical step in observation. (Ask any scientist or engineer who is doing experiments if this is not the most critical of activities.)
But, amazingly (at least to my teachers), Da Vinci enticed me to study (and enjoy) poetry. To this day, I include one of this statements (that’s the second line, by the way) as a signature…
Amazing, how much one can learn from a true Renaissance Man…
Great reminder of one of the true greats. To me he is an unparalleled genius. I had no idea he was a poet too so will be looking that up very soon. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Janice Gill recently posted..Incoming! 10 Great Reasons to Visit the Farne Islands
Yes, DaVinci should be an inspiration to us all. Thanks for the visit, Janice.
That is such a wonderful experience to have at a young age! I am now also completely in love with your signature quote. I am a poet and there truly is nothing like the rhythm in words to get a smile in my spirit. Thank you!
Glad you liked it, Chatone! I am honored.
I’m in awe of Leonard as well. His curiosity was similar to Einsteins. I think if that is one thing we learn from these geniuses, we’ll have done well. Be curious and ask questions. Thanks!
And, on that note, Cathy, let me recommend the (only current good) book by Mike Lankford https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1612195954/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=cerebration07-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1612195954&linkId=f4f5cd2ecbf75d84a81fd14371dffbe3 It’s all about how da Vinci operated- and how he was received. (What? You think that only nowadays are nerds not accepted?) (Skip the other one- unless you are interested in hagiography.)
Seeing this collection would have been such a thrill for me growing up, because of my enjoyment of history. Too bad my parents never took me.
Alana recently posted..Fall Fancies – Underperforming
I am so sorry you didn’t get your opportunity. (I’ve also seen it in the Louvre twice- and other DaVinci productions in other museums. They still intrigue me, Alana!)
Oh, how neat that you feel such a connection to him! We covered him in homeschooling, and my son did extra reading on him. My son, who we both think may have dyscalculia, is determined to major in physics. I am going to show him this post.
That is so cool, Jeanine. Our son may like that book by Lankford, as well.
I enjoy poetry and that statement is perfect!
Amen, Martha!
I love that Da Vinci quote. Of course it takes talent for either painting or poetry to be more than cacophony. A lot also depends upon the person hearing or seeing it.
Barbara Radisavljevic recently posted..The World Beyond My Office
Great points, Barbara! Thanks for sharing, helping others to grasp the complexity of something that can look failed at first glance.
love reading about this side of yours.. and love that quote you mention about poetry and painting – two of my favorite things as well
Poetry, painting, kids, and creativity. Those combinations can’t be beat, Vidya!
I would love to review his notebooks. If, for nothing else, but to learn how he thought and viewed the world. Thank you for sharing.
Damond:
You’re in luck- one is available on Kindle and Amazon. I think the Kindle is free, if you are a Prime member.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0486225720/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=cerebration07-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0486225720&linkId=e4aefd0974efbb8a061eed3e1969b616
I have always admired Leonardo da Vinci and considered him one of the world’s greatest geniuses. He had a very original mind, something that has always been very rare indeed.
You won’t get an argument from me, Alice, about his talents. And, he also had a “number” of disagreements because what he often proposed was vastly different than what was normally seen.