Leonardo da Vinci has Quite - Free Essay Example

Did you know the lips of Mona Lisa supposedly took ten years to make? Leonardo da Vinci was an amazing, multi-talented man. He was born on April 15, 1452 and died on May 2, 1519. Most people only know him as a painter, but in actuality, less than 24 paintings by him exist. In addition to being an artist, he was also a scientist, sculptor, architect, inventor, military engineer, draftsman, and philosopher. He had so many interests because he didnt produce a vast amount of paintings. Da Vinci has left such a great impact on the world despite the limited technology of his time, which will be conveyed in his legacy, obstacles and challenges he faced, and Leonardo da Vinci has quite left an impressive legacy. His ideas and body of work have influenced countless artists, making him a leader of the Italian Renaissance. The British Broadcasting Corporation (news magazine) reported that clinical anatomists believe that Leonardos anatomical work was hundreds of years ahead of its time. He spent a lot of time on human anatomy. In his lifetime, he had dissected and studied more than 30 bodies creating numerous drawings and documentations including the first correct drawing of the human spine. He also made two of the most well-known paintings in the world: Mona Lisa, and The Last Supper. He designed a tank 400 years before such a thing was actually used, along with other combat weapons. He was fascinated with nature and was intrigued with birds flying so he conceived the helicopter, parachute, landing gear, and glider using his knowledge of the anatomy of a bat. He also invented musical instruments and bridges. With so much accomplishments and such great potential, you may not have thought Leonardo da Vinci faced any obstacles or challenges. Da Vinci never received any formal schooling. He was also dyslexic. Leonardo had to balancing between his knowledge and the accepted, strict religious beliefs of the day. If his thoughts caused controversy, he could be accused of witchcraft. When he was 24, he and several other men were arrested for rape accusations. No one testified against them so the charges were dropped, but according to da Vincis journals, the allegations were devastating to a man who liked to keep his private life private. According to Live Science, in the article titled Five Things You Probably Didnt Know About Leonardo Da Vinci by journalist Elizabeth Palermo, Da Vinci may also have been scared for his life. In 15th century Florence, sodomy was a crime punishable by death. After the case was over, he fled Florence for Milan. Although da Vinci was born in the 1400s, he is still greatly relevant in todays society. Leonardos inventions influenced and gave people today the opportunity to create and expand on his inventions and contraptions. Regarding his paintings and drawings, he developed many techniques that other famous artists such as Raphael, adopted. More than six million people visit the Mona Lisa each year, intriguing people all over the world. His anatomical sketches led to inventions and medical methods used today. Da Vinci sketched the first model of a contact lens, which led to its invention. Today, millions of people use contacts which lets them to do daily activities with more ease. In an article titled, Da Vincis Impact on the Medical World by journalist Da Vinci also contributed to the development of artificial limbs and synthetic organs. His studies on how limbs and organs work have influenced scientists today to create replacements of body parts in order for people to function normally. That is life changing for people who were born without a limb or lost one in war. I chose Leonardo da Vinci for this report because he not only is one of the most famous painters in the world, he also has a diverse range of talents. I feel a personal connection to him because I am also well rounded, doing ballet, swimming, band, working at a retirement home over the summer, and making my own bracelet business, while he also had a vast array of interests. He was very fond of nature and art, which are both things I enjoy. I also have grown up watching Ninja Turtles. Each turtle is named after a famous artist, one of them being Leonardo. I wanted to learn about his history and what other things he did besides painting. Leonardo da Vinci is an inspiration to countless generations including me.