Leonardo+da+Vinci

=Leonardo's work and influence=

The Mona Lisa, by Leonardo Da Vinci, drawn from oil on wood in 1503 to 1506. Picture Source: Erich Lessing Culture and Fine Arts Archives./Artstor.com

It is clear that within the various art pieces, especially the Mona Lisa, that Leonardo Da Vinci was in fact the most influential Renaissance artist of his time. As Richard Carpenter in The Mythical Nature of Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, says "one is transfixed by a glance which holds by its power to fascinate rather than command”. Not only is the portrait artistic and aesthetic but also the attention to detail in the background, "Leonardo’s remarkable grasp of geological structure and process is apparent here”. Leonardo is not just drawing a painting. He was so smart and creative thinking that he uses a technique that was advanced for his time, "Austrian neurologists suggest Da Vinci was proficient in the technique of "sfumato", in which layers of paint are added on top of each another to create subtle changes in shading” (Asian News International), which can be seen in the mouth, creating the illusion of smiling depending on certain views. Clearly, based on the Mona Lisa alone, Leonardo created a masterpiece, that uses inventive techniques and creates a world of wonder and awe for the viewer.

Research Sources: ANI. "Leonardo Da Vinci used painting 'trick' to change Mona Lisa's expression." // Asian News International (New Delhi, India) // 16 Mar. 2010: // NewsBank //. EBSCO. Web. 23 Oct. 2011.

Carpenter, Richard. The Mythical Nature of Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa”. The Sewanee Review Vol. 71, No. 3 (Summer, 1963), pp. 495-505. -Zach Bomes

The Saint John by Leonardo Da Vinci dates back to 1510-1515. It was drawn by oil on a panel, then transferred to a canvas. __Picture Source__: Scala, Florence./Artstor.com

Through all of Leonardo da Vinci’s paintings, it is evident he had an astonishing capability to “draw attention to fine detail” (Veltman). This is able to be seen in the oil painting of Saint John the Baptist. The curls on his head are drawn with each strand of hair in a specific place. Also, he is smiling in an enigmatic matter that is reminiscent of Mona Lisa’s. His right hand is point up to the heavens and it suggests the importance of salvation through baptism, which Saint John represents. Many painters quoted this piece for religious purpose later because it is such a significant piece of work in art and the church. Nuland states, "Leonardo’s desire to paint things realistically was bold and fresh. This call to objectivity became the standard for painters who followed.” Other painters wanted to create masterpieces as powerful and talented as his. He studied light and shadow in order to get his paintings absolutely precise. It is shown here with the colorings and the figures in the background. Leonardo believed an artist should not just know the rules of perspective, but also why they apply. Saint John the Baptist is believed to be one of Da Vinci’s last pieces; however, it is definitely not the least.

__Research Sources __: Veltman, Kim H. //Leonardo Da Vinci: A Review//. //Ebsco Host.// MIT Press, 2007. Web. 24 Oct. 2011. .

Nuland, Sherwin. "Leonardo Da Vinci (1452 - 1519) Italian Renaissance Artist." //The Worldwide Art Gallery//. Orion Publishing Group, 2001. Web. 24 Oct. 2011. .

-Jill Baltz



Head of Madonna 1508-1515. Chalk on red-tinted paper.
One of the overwhelming themes of High Renaissance art was “focused on portraying the humans in their most natural form” (Dogra) and this can be found in the work of Leonardo da Vinci. Da Vinci was able to capture the realistic forms of the human body and natural details of the surroundings in portraits. In the Head of the Madonna, he focuses only on her facial expressions and the realistic form caused by the human anatomy. Other characteristics of the High Renaissance that da Vinci defined were the perfect balance and harmony of his works, with calm movement. In the Head of the Madonna the flow of her hair and simple expression on her face epitomizes these characteristics. The technique of da Vinci influenced the Renaissance era and the standards of art from then on.

Source: Minneapolis College of Art and Design Collection./Artstor.com

Dogra, Aastha. "Renaissance Art Characteristics." //Buzzle Web Portal: Intelligent Life on the Web//. 2011. Web. 24 Oct. 2011. . -**Emily Carver**

= = Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci 1495-1498, drawn with oil with some tempera grassa. Source: Scala, Florence. /Artstor.com

Da Vinci's "The Last Supper" is one of the most recognizable paintings of the Renaissance era and a universal symbol of Christianity. Although Christ's last supper had been painted by many artists before, Da Vinci's rendition was the first to depict realistic human figures acting in a realistic human manner with realistic human emotions. The idea of realism is a key component of Renaissance art and "The Last Supper" demonstrates Da Vinci's grasp of this. Another important element of this painting is the technical perspective used. One can see that every constituent of this painting guides the viewer's attention to the center of the work, the head of Christ. "The Last Supper is arguably the single most impressive use of one point perspective ever created. Da Vinci's mastery of this technique is another in a long line of examples as to why he is the most influential artist of the Renaissance era.

"Leonardo Da Vinci - The Last Supper." //Art History Resources for Students, Enthusiasts, Artists and Educators - Artist Biographies - Art Timelines - Images and Picture Galleries//. Web. 24 Oct. 2011. .

-Drew Lewis

LEONARDO'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO SCIENCE

- Leonardo developed a method which included three steps: experiment, experience, and observe. Rather than read previous texts, he preferred to observe firsthand and then make his own assumptions. He did read older texts from his predecessors but he rarely found the information and explanations he desired. He made great advances in many areas of science, including: THE EYE: He explained the concept of //perspectiva artificialis//, which was the theory that refuted the notion that objects appear smaller when they get farther away from the eye. He said that all light rays converge in a point in a hypothetic eye, which is a single eye in a fixed position. He also believed that a small object placed in front of the eye would not prevent us from seeing a full view of the image before us. This may have urged Leonardo away from using sharp edges and strong color in his art, merging his two interests of art and science.

HUMAN BODY: Leonardo often drew the female torso, and although there was no evidence to show that he had discovered anything new, his great artistic skill enabled him to draw it accurately and with detail. His drawings made it apparent that he had done dissections, contrary to his fetal drawings. These are assumed to be based on speculation. He did, however, have experience with the heart of an an ox, and did the first anatomical description of the coronary arteries. He also wanted to explain why blood was warm. He first said that it was from external forces of nature, and then compared it to a stove, in that it heats the blood and then propels it throughout the body.

Leonardo's drawing of the heart (he felt that all anatomical drawings should show two perspectives) http://www.leonardo-da-vinci-biography.com/images/leonardo-da-vinci-anatomy.6.jpg

-Chelsea Donohue