The Da Vinci Code

Looking at the legacy of the Renaissance artist on his 500th death anniversary

May 2 will mark the 500th death anniversary of the historical figurehead of the Renaissance art movement, Leonardo Da Vinci. Many facets of his life are well-known, but it is important to revisit them from time to time to understand the ideas that informed his work and generations of artists. Born in 1452, da Vinci was already an apprentice to an engineer and artist at the age of 14. In his formative years, he came to be known for his keen intellect and curiosity about diverse subjects.
He was passionate about medical discoveries and military inventions, and these ideas informed much of his work. A polymath, engineer, physicist, scientist, architect, painter, sculptor, botanist, musician, inventor, anatomist - da Vinci donned several hats. He had been committed towards adapting and implementing his ideas in pursuit of the evolution of society. It is his remarkable futuristic vision of science that has interested me, personally. These are evident in his detailed drawings of tanks, helicopters, submarines, parachutes, etc. With his vision, he proved that many inconceivable tasks could be accomplished with the right understanding of science.
An important aspect of da Vinci's works is the philosophy that art is unquestionably connected with science and nature. His early works, like The Vitruvian Man (1490), illustrate his study of proportion as well as his desire to relate man with nature. His profound respect for nature, combined with a desire to learn, is also evident in the detailed documentation of his life's work. In fact, 720 pages worth of scribbles and sketches continue to be examined and studied today.
In 1506, da Vinci left Florence and travelled in search of work and patronage. From Milan, he moved to Roma and finally settled in France. In the last 13 years of his life, he travelled everywhere with a portrait of a woman. Till date, the Louvre in Paris is packed with approximately six million visitors a year, travelling from all over for a glimpse of his masterpiece, the exhibit simply being known as 'Painting No. 779'. It is the smiling portrait of the Mona Lisa. Being a national treasure, the Mona Lisa is secured behind a bulletproof glass: her enigmatic smile captivating the world and inspiring the development of portraiture as we know it.
As an interdisciplinary creator, one of his principles that influenced his scientific, philosophical and artistic research was called 'Sapere Vedere' (knowing how to see). He believed that in order to live all aspects of his life, his sense of sight was of great significance to design his scientific visualisations in their entirety. Clearly, Leonardo da Vinci did not believe in restricting himself to any single form of art.
So why limit ourselves? As artists, we should be free to create in any discipline - whether it be through painting, sculpture, photography, or technology. The most important lesson to be learnt here is that we must allow ourselves the opportunity to experience new endeavours and be receptive to ideas derived from a diversity of sources and branches of knowledge.
wknd@khaleejtimes.com