The biography series Giants of Science for middle grade fascinates with the story of Leonardo da Vinci who was an Italian polymath during the High Renaissance.
Leonardo da Vinci (1734-1818) was born in Vinci,
in Tuscany, Italy. He was an illegitimate child, raised by grandparents. His
uncle Francesco farmed family’s land. He liked experimenting with different
crops. Leonardo spent hours helping his uncle, and that probably influences his
curious mind.
Leonardo from childhood was very observant,
observing everything around him, making notes and drawings. He always carried a
pen and paper with him so no thought would escape him. He supposedly developed
this habit already during his childhood.
He received minimal schooling and because of
his illegitimacy, he wasn’t allowed to attend university. He pretty much had
two options: either to join the army or to take up a trade.
His father used his connections to get him
apprenticed as a studio boy to Andrea del Verrocchio, the leading Florentine
painter and sculptor of his day. Leonardo was twelve or thirteen at the time.
He started with sweeping the floors, running errands, and cleaning
paintbrushes. Meanwhile, he continued to practice his drawing.
It was a time when paintings were being
developed from appearing flat to giving the illusion of depth. Like Leonardo’s
uncle, Verrocchio also liked experimenting and innovating. He encouraged his
shop to break new ground in the arts.
Leonardo was a quick learner and his talent was
noticed. Verrocchio was delegating more work to him.
Leonardo spent time at hospitals, furthering
his study of anatomy.
By twenty, he became an official member of the
Florentine painters’ guild, but he remained with his teacher for another 12-13
years, perfecting his skills.
Leonardo was a man of many talents, but he
wasn’t good at finishing tasks. He quitted many commissions. He left behind
many sketches and plans and less finished work.
It could have been that with so many talents
and passions focusing on one idea for an extended period was becoming
disengaging for him.
He was always busy. If not creating, then
reading and educating himself.
Leonardo became obsessed with flying. Thus, he
studied the motion of bird’s wings.
He was fascinated with Greek philosophers, but
he never followed blindly. He always questioned and made his own observations.
He also was solving practical problems, one of
them was designing warfare weapons as the city – states of Italy were at war
much of the time.
Above all, Leonardo wanted to be original. He
was much more interested in inventing and designing. And for that he needed a patron.
Lorenzo de Medici – the greatest patron of art
– didn’t pick Leonardo. Thus, it was time for him to leave Florence.
At thirty, he moved to Milan – the city known
for advances in science and learning. And that’s what interested him the most.
He entered the service of Duke Ludovico Sforza, Milan’s ruler, and served him
for years as principal military engineer and also as an architect.
When another epidemic of Black Death struck
Milan, Leonardo designed an ideal city, to make it clean and healthy as he connected
the filthy conditions with the cause of plagues. But the design was never used.
During his time in Milan, he painted The Last
Super.
Past his forties, he taught himself Latin, so
he could read books that weren’t translated into Italian.
In 1499, when French invaded Milan and his
patron was overthrown, at forty-seven, he began to roam with his assistant
Salai.
From 1513-1516, he lived in Rome with the pope
for a patron.
In 1517, Leonardo travelled to France as King
Francis I became his patron.
This biography demonstrates a man who didn’t
have a formal education and yet became a polymath thanks to his curiosity. What
exemplifies him is his curious mind which led him to asking many questions
about everything, including how things worked and what people imposed with
their believes. He was open-minded and never relied on long-standing theories.
This
biography for young readers, ages 8-12, is presented in a relatable way, for
most part with simple sentences.
Source: Puffin Books, 2008
·
TRENDING INSPIRATION: “Learning never exhausts
the mind.” – Leonardo da Vinci (He never stopped learning. Fascination in a
subject led him to study it in order to understand it).
Traits:
·
From childhood, he was very observant,
observing everything around him, making notes and drawings.
·
As a boy, he was apprenticed to clean the art
studio, but meanwhile continued on improving his drawings.
·
He spent time at hospitals to further his study
of anatomy, so his drawings would look natural.
·
Even when he was at age to strike on his own,
he remained with his teacher to improve his skills.
·
He was a man of many talents, but he wasn’t
good at finishing tasks.
·
He was always busy. If not creating, then
reading and educating himself.
·
When he became obsessed with flying, he studied
the motion of bird’s wings.
·
Past his forties, he taught himself Latin, so
he could read books that weren’t translated into Italian.
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” –
Leonardo da Vinci
“The greatest deception men suffer is from
their own opinions.” – Leonardo da Vinci
“There are three classes of people: those who
see, those who see when they are shown, and those who do not see.” – Leonardo
da Vinci
“The noblest pleasure if the joy of
understanding.” – Leonardo da Vinci
“Wisdom is the daughter of experience.” –
Leonardo da Vinci
“Iron rusts from disuse; water loses its purity
from stagnation…even so does inaction sap the vigor of the mind.” – Leonardo da
Vinci
“Nature is the source of all true knowledge.” –
Leonardo da Vinci
FURTHER INSPIRATION AND RECOMMENDATION:
Leonardo da Vinci was one of the greatest intellects in the history of mankind, very productive, always having a pen and a piece of paper with him to write down whatever came to him. He wanted to make sure that no thought escaped him. Yet, he understood balance very well as he said:
“Every
now and then go away, have a little relaxation, for when you come back to your
work your judgement will be surer; since to remain constantly at work will
cause you to lose power of judgement.”
Dr.
Wayne Dyer explores the subject of Balance in his book “Wisdom of the Ages,”
where he further explains the words of da Vinci: “The great Renaissance master
is telling us to let go, relax, don’t try so hard, remove the struggle and
allow our natural divine guidance to assist us.” One of the ways is to meditate
before undertaking any pursuit. Meditation creates space or gap in our mind,
allowing ideas or answers come to us. Thus, becoming more productive in less
time.
