The Versatility and Genius of Leonardo Da Vinci: 11 Things You Need To Know About The Artist.

Vaishnavi Srivastava

Leonardo Da Vinci, one of the most eminent- if not worshipped- painters and sculptors of the Renaissance art period. What can be said about the legendary artist, that hasn’t already been said? While nothing compares to the years of literary works that have been dedicated to the life and works of the artist, we have compiled a list of 11 things you might not know about him (not if you are a huge Da Vinci nerd, in which case you probably know these already you Vinci-head!).

 

11 Things You Need to Know About Da Vinci

Following are 11 interesting facts about the man, the legend, Leonardo Da Vinci:

1. He Had No Formal Education

That’s right. One of the most famous and remembered artists in the world had little education, which included the basics of reading, writing and mathematics. The genius of Da Vinci did not need an official certificate to tell him what he can achieve as the artist’s work conquered the globe, centuries after his demise. Moreover, Da Vinci largely taught himself Latin, which was supposedly the language of the scholars of the time.

2. A Talented Musician

Da Vinci’s talents were not limited to just one aspect or genre. He was known to write exquisite musical compositions and played the lyre. Furthermore, he was also described to be great at vocals.

3. Left-Handers Assemble!

Good news for people who have been outcasted as left-handers all their lives. You guys get to be on the cool side as Da Vinci used to draw with his left hand as well. Historians even believe that Da Vinci was ambidextrous.

4. Most of His Artworks were destroyed

Did you know there are only 17 works of art that can be definitively attributed to Da Vinci’s name? Most of his artworks and paintings were either lost, depreciated or damaged over the passage of time. Of course, none of these reasons could hamper the legend and his name.

5. He Liked Human Anatomy

It should be admitted that the word “Liked” is an understatement. True to his era i.e. Renaissance – the Age of Reason, Da Vinci was a huge anatomy nerd. His curiosity in the field even led him to dissect human bodies. His illustrations of the human body are the reason behind major scientific breakthroughs in the field of biology and human anatomy and were a huge reference for scholars back in time and today as well.

6. His Artworks are Filled with Symbolism

Da Vinci is a legend because of the intricacies behind his art. It was not just the style of art or the quality of brushstrokes but also the hidden symbolism. For instance, in the Last Supper, the painter places a bottle of spilt salt in front of the portrait of Judas. Spilt salt represents a bad omen and was further demonstrative of how Judas will eventually betray Jesus.

7. Huge Animal Rights Advocate!

It’s a win for vegans and animal lovers. Da Vinci was supposedly a vegetarian. He wrote in length about the ethical errors behind the consumption of meat. His affection for animals was even accounted for by his peers. For instance, Giorgio Vasari once stated how Da Vinci would purchase birds for sale only to set them free.

8. He wrote in reverse

Every artist has their weird perks, Da Vinci’s was that he liked to write backwards. (we’re just as confused as you are but the man’s a legend). He wrote in mirrored letters. Some believe the backward letters and the encrypted symbols were a way for him to disguise his writings, while others believe that as a left-handed individual, he found it easier to write from right to left.

9. Mona Lisa is Incomplete

Da Vinci was never known to hurry up his artistic process and rightfully so. After his death, his art by him was left in his assistant’s possession. Moreover, in his later years, the artist was speculated to have paralysis on the right half of his body which also may have resulted in the incompletion of his works.

10. Damages to the Last Supper

The Last Supper is easily one of the most famous and renowned paintings of the time. However, even the genius of this art could not save it from the terrors of the World War. The mural went through destruction at the time of the War which even led to restoration steps.

11. Michelangelo and Da Vinci, Well, Let’s Just Say They Were Not “Besties”.

The two legendary artists of the time period were not known to get along. In fact, accounts even state that the two often aggravated each other about their artistic styles. While Michelangelo taunted the artist for his inability to complete his works, Da Vinci took a dig at the artist’s over-the-top, muscular sculptures. We love to see a good beef among respected artists.

Leonardo Da Vinci was no doubt a man of many talents. Be it painting, sculpting, medical sciences, or literary symbolism, he perfected each of the fields. (Seriously the man never stopped!) Rightfully so, he is known as one of the greatest artists in the world and an eminent figure of the Enlightenment era.