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The Italian Renaissance was one of the most remarkable periods in all of Western History. It was an era of great cultural achievements that laid the foundation of the modern world, and it produced many remarkable individuals. One of the most remarkable of these was Leonardo Da da Vinci (1452-1519)was a critical figure in the late Renaissance. He Not only is widely he regarded as one of the greatest artists who ever lived. However, but he was so much more than this he was also a polymath and is often referred made remarkable contributions to as a ‘Universal Genius’. Among the subjects that he contributed to were scienceengineering, engineeringarchitecture, mechanicsscience, urban planning, cartographercartography, philosophy, and anatomyduring the Renaissance. While some of this work was done in secret, he also was a prominent artist, architect, and othersengineer. Leonardo da Vinci was the quintessential Renaissance man.

Leonardo is recognized as making a unique contribution to the Renaissance, that period of time which saw the re-birth of learning and a move to a secular worldview. The Florentine artist and polymath made a decisive contribution to this epoch. He decisively influenced artistic trends in his own time and in the later Renaissance. His interest in science and experiment inspired many humanists to study the world and nature. He While he was also a great inventor, but his inventions had little impact, on his own era.

====The life of Why was Leonardo Da Vinciimportant?====

Leonardo was born in 1452, in the village of Vinci, outside the city of Florence. His father was a wealthy lawyer , and his mother was a peasant woman. His parents were not married, and Leonardo was illegitimate, which carried with it a great deal of social stigma, at the time. He could not legally bear his father’s surname , and so he was named after his native village, Vinci .<ref> McCurdy, Edward. The mind of Leonardo da Vinci (London, Courier Corporation, 2013), p 4 </ref>. It appears that the young boy received little or no formal education. We do know that at the age of 15 he was apprenticed to Andrea del Verrocchio (1435–1488). He was one of the leading artists of his day and was a great influence on the young Leonardo, especially in his dynamic representations of the human figure. After the completion of his apprenticeship, the young man from Vinci became an assistant to Verrocchio and his skill soon became well-known. His style was considered to be very original, especially his use of light and shade (McCurdy, p. 34</ref>In either 1477/1488, Leonardo set up his own studio and soon was receiving major commissions.

At this time, While he was accused of being received little or no formal education as a homosexual and if he had been found guilty child, at 15 he could have been executed. Leonardo was able apprenticed to have the charges dropped but his reputation sufferedAndrea del Verrocchio (1435–1488). In 1481 he painted He was one of the Adoration leading artists of the Magi, which made him famous in Florence his day and beyond. However, the work was unfinished because he was invited to Milan by its powerful Duke. Leonardo greatly impressed a great influence on the Duke and he presented himself as a skilled engineer. young Leonardo painted several outstanding works , especially in Milan such as the Virgin his dynamic representations of the Rockhuman figure. It was also at this time that he produced one After the completion of the most famous works in all art history the Last Supper. During his time in Milan apprenticeship, he also began became an assistant to secretly study dead bodies Verrocchio, and also worked as a military engineerhis extraordinary skills became well-known. Da Vinci also created some bronze sculptures for the Duke His artistic style was considered to be extraordinarily original because of his unique use of Milanlight and shade. <ref>(McCurdy, none of which sadly have survivedp. 34)</ref> In either 1477/1488, Leonardo set up his studio and soon was receiving significant commissions.

In 1499At this time, he was accused of being a homosexual, and if he had been found guilty, when he could have been executed. Leonardo had the French invaded Italycharges dropped, Leonardo fled but his reputation suffered. In 1481 his reputation rebounded after he painted the Adoration of the city Magi This work made him famous in Florence and stayed in Venicebeyond. Here However, the work was unfinished because he was active invited to Milan by its powerful Duke. Leonardo impressed the Duke, and he presented himself as a military skilled engineer and drew up plans to create a series . Leonardo painted several outstanding works in Milan such as the Virgin of naval defensesthe Rock. In 1500 the artist, who It was by now also at this time that he produced one of the most famous men works in all of Italy returned to art history the Last Supper. During his native Florence. Here he continued to work on several artistic projectstime in Milan, but he appears also began to have left many uncompleted. Many of the projects from this period are only known from Leonardo’s drawings, which are considered to be masterpieces. In 1506, Leonardo study dead bodies and worked for a time as a military engineer secretly. Da Vinci also created some bronze sculptures for the notorious Cesare BorgiaDuke of Milan, who was ruthlessly carving a state for himself out none of Papal lands in central Italywhich sadly have survived.

Around this periodIn 1499, he painted his most famous workwhen the French invaded Italy, Leonardo fled the Mona Lisacity and stayed in Venice. The identity Here he was active as a military engineer and drew up plans to create a series of naval defenses. In 1500, Da Vinci, who was by now one of the woman most famous men in the portrait has never been established but Leonardo worked on it for the rest all of Italy, returned to his life and took it with him on his travelsnative Florence. The Florentine returned Here he continued to Milan in 1506 and he worked work on an equestrian statue and continued his scientific studies. In particularseveral artistic projects, but he was fascinated with anatomy and appears to have left many uncompleted. Many of the projects from this influenced his artperiod are only known from Leonardo’s drawings, greatlywhich are considered to be masterpieces. During these years he filled his notebooks with his observationsIn 1506, ideasLeonardo worked for a time as a military engineer for the notorious Cesare Borgia, and drawings on who was ruthlessly carving a range state for himself out of subjects. One common theme Papal lands in his notebook is his fascination with movement, growth, and actioncentral Italy.

In 1516Around this period, he was invited to Romepainted his most famous work, but his time here was not that productivethe Mona Lisa. While he was still esteemed as an artist, Leonardo worked on the painting for the rest of his work was not as popular as life and took it once waswith him on his travels. Da Vinci was a rather reclusive figurereturned to Milan in 1506, and he worked on an equestrian statue. Contemporaneously, but he continued to fill his notebooks and made many plans for future projectsscientific studies. Most of these projects never came to fruition. He In particular, he was regarded as a genius fascinated with anatomy, and was frequently consulted by many leading figuresthis dramatically influenced his art, on artistic issues, and on engineering projectsgreatly.<ref>McCurdyDuring this time, p 113</ref> The French king Francis I invited Leonardo and he filled his disciples to notebooks with his court in Fontainebleau. Leonardo was given great honors by Francis observations, ideas, and he became the official court painter among other distinctionsdrawings on a range of subjects. The French monarch provided him with a house and Leonardo continued to write One common theme in his notebooks notebook is his fascination with movement, growth, and to make plans for projects, none of which he executed. He died in 1519 at the home that was given to him by the French kingaction.

====Influence on art====[[File: Leonardo 2.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Leonardo’s ‘The Last Supper’]]During the early RenaissanceIn 1516, painting had advanced greatly, because of great artists such as Botticelli and Verrocchio. However, Leonardo he was invited to raise painting to new heights and his work is not only intrinsically important Rome, but very influential. His work was revolutionary because it was so realistic and expressive. Leonardo used his anatomical studies to better understand the human body and especially its actions. This allowed him to create images of people that are highly realistic and very dynamic. The emotions expressed by Leonardo are much more naturalistic than previous artists <ref>Hall, Marcia B. Color and meaning: practice and theory in Renaissance painting (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1992), p 117</ref>. Leonardo inspired many painters to adopt a more naturalistic approach. His ideas on painting were presented in his Treatise on Painting, which time here was widely read. Leonardo was a master of painting techniques, including not that of chiaroscuro, which is the treatment of the light and shadeproductive. Many incorrectly assume that Leonardo invented this technique, but While he certainly perfected it. His technique was followed by many subsequent painters. Based on his scientific studiesstill esteemed as an artist, Leonardo was a master of linear perspective and he exceeded all those who went before him. He developed new ways of representing perspective and this gave his painting more depth and made them appear more realistic. Perhaps his greatest contribution to the painting was the development of the sfumato technique, a new way to blend glazes. This made the figures in a painting living and breathing subjects. The techniques and styles developed by Leonardo were revolutionary and they, in particular, influenced the other great Florentine, Michelangelo. The frescoes of Michelangelo became more dynamic and expressive, as a result of the work of Leonardopopularity had somewhat declined. This was despite the fact that the two great artists did not like each other and were bitter rivals. The genius from surprising because Da Vinci later inspired other painters of the High Renaissance such as Raphael (1483-1520). Da Vinci’s treatment of the Virgin Mary was very influential in the paintings of Raphael. Among the others whose work was shaped by the great Florentine was Filippino Lippi (1457–1504) and del Sarto (1486–1531). Leonardo was also a very important influence on sculpturebecame an increasingly reclusive figure. His original sculptures are now lost. HoweverStill, at the time they proved enormously influential on the development of Renaissance sculpture. The Florentine was also interested in architecture and helped he continued to design the cupola for the Cathedral in Milan. He wrote an unpublished treatise on architecture fill his notebooks and produced made many architectural drawings <ref>Kempplans for future projects, Martin. Leonardo da Vinci: the marvelous works but most of nature and man (Oxford, Oxford, University Press, 2007), p 113</ref>. These inspired many architects including the great Bramantethese projects never came to fruition.

====Leonardo and science====The great Florentine Still, he was fascinated by science, engineering, regarded as a genius and mechanics. He wrote about these subjects copiously in his notebooks. His theory of knowledge was based on the study of nature. Leonardo was also intrigued frequently consulted with by the human body and he is believed to have dissected up to 30 human bodies and made many anatomical drawings. Moreover, he was a great observer leading figures on both artistic issues and he made many empirical observations that were insightful, in areas as diverse as hydraulic engineering and town planningprojects. This emphasis on empiricism was radical at the time because the authority of the Church and the Ancient Classical authors was unchallenged and the received wisdom <ref>RandallMcCurdy, John Herman. "The place of Leonardo Da Vinci in the emergence of modern science." Journal of the History of Ideas (1953): 191-202 p 113</ref>. The Florentine’s ideas at this time are more akin to modern ideas on science and learning. HoweverFrench king, his influence was limited by the power of the Church. For exampleFrancis I, invited Leonardo could not publish and his findings on his anatomical studies because the dissection of bodies was considered sinful by the Catholic hierarchy and he could have even prosecuted by the civil authorities. This is why he was forced disciples to keep many of his discoveries and ideas secret. The Florentine wrote his ideas court in his notebooks using mirror writing so that they could not be easily decipheredFontainebleau. As a result, much of his scientific achievements and observations were not disclosed until a century or more after his death. If the Florentine had published his work on science, such as his study of the heart, the ‘have advanced the march of science by a whole century’’ <ref> Reti, Ladislao. "Leonardo da Vinci and the graphic arts: became the early invention of relief-etchingofficial court painter." The Burlington Magazine 113, no. 817 (1971): 189</ref>French monarch also provided him with a house. HoweverIn France, during his lifetime Leonardo did encourage some continued to privilege observation write in his notebooks and experiment over the teachings to make plans for projects, none of the Church and the Classics, which was to be very influential he executed. He died in 1519 at the later phase of the Renaissance. Leonardo could be said home that was given to have helped to change him by the intellectual environment of the Renaissance to one that was much more modern in outlookFrench king.

====How did Da Vinci influence on Art?====[[File: Leonardo 2.jpg|350px|thumb|left|Leonardo’s ‘The Last Supper’]]During the early Renaissance, painting had advanced greatly, because of great artists such as Botticelli and Verrocchio. However, Leonardo was to raise painting to new heights, and his work is not only intrinsically important but very influential. His work was revolutionary because it was so realistic and expressive.  Leonardo used his anatomical studies to understand the human body and especially its actions better. Da Vinci's studies allowed him to create images of people that were highly realistic and very dynamic. The emotions expressed by Leonardo are much more naturalistic than previous artists.<ref>Hall, Marcia B. Color and meaning: practice and theory in Renaissance painting (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1992), p 117</ref> Leonardo inspired many painters to adopt a more naturalistic approach. He wrote about his painting techniques in his widely read <i>Treatise on Painting</i>.  Leonardo was a master of painting techniques, including that of chiaroscuro, which is the treatment of the light and shade. Many incorrectly assume that Leonardo invented this technique, but he certainly perfected it. Many subsequent painters followed his method.  Based on his scientific studies, Leonardo was also a master of linear perspective, and he exceeded all those who went before him. He developed new ways of representing perspective, and this gave his painting more depth and made them appear more realistic.  Perhaps his most significant contribution to the painting was the development of the sfumato technique, a new way to blend glazes. This technique made the figures in a painting living and breathing subjects. The techniques and styles developed by Leonardo were revolutionary, and they, in particular, influenced the other great Florentine, Michelangelo. The frescoes of Michelangelo became more dynamic and expressive, as a result of the work of Leonardo. Michelangelo's work changed even though the two great artists did not like each other and were bitter rivals.  Da Vinci also inspired other painters of the High Renaissance, such as Raphael (1483-1520). Da Vinci’s treatment of the Virgin Mary was very influential in the paintings of Raphael. Among the others whose work was shaped by the great Florentine was Filippino Lippi (1457–1504) and del Sarto (1486–1531). Leonardo was also a significant influence on sculpture. His original sculptures are now lost.  However, at the time, they proved enormously influential on the development of Renaissance sculpture. The Florentine was also interested in architecture and helped to design the cupola for the Cathedral in Milan. He wrote an unpublished treatise on architecture and produced many architectural drawings.<ref>Kemp, Martin. Leonardo da Vinci: the marvelous works of nature and man (Oxford, Oxford, University Press, 2007), p 113</ref> These inspired many architects, including the great Bramante. ====How did Leonardo da Vinci influence Renaissance science and engineering?====Da Vinci was fascinated by science, engineering, and mechanics. He wrote about these subjects copiously in his notebooks. His theory of knowledge was based on the study of nature. Leonardo was also intrigued by the human body and he is believed to have dissected up to 30 human bodies and made many anatomical drawings.  Moreover, he was a great observer and he made many empirical observations that were insightful, in areas as diverse as hydraulic engineering and town planning. This emphasis on empiricism was radical at the time because the authority of the Church and the Ancient Classical authors was unchallenged and the received wisdom.<ref>Randall, John Herman. "The place of Leonardo Da Vinci in the emergence of modern science." Journal of the History of Ideas (1953): 191-202 </ref> Leonardo's ideas at this time were more akin to modern ideas on science and learning.  However, his influence was limited by the power of the Church. For example, Leonardo could not publish his findings on his anatomical studies because the dissection of bodies was considered sinful by the Catholic hierarchy and he could have even prosecuted by the civil authorities. This is why he was forced to keep many of his discoveries and ideas secret. The Florentine wrote his ideas in his notebooks using mirror writing so that they could not be easily deciphered.  As a result, much of his scientific achievements and observations were not disclosed until a century or more after his death. If Da Vinci had published his work on science, such as his study of the heart, he would ‘have advanced the march of science by a whole century.’’ <ref> Reti, Ladislao. "Leonardo da Vinci and the graphic arts: the early invention of relief-etching." The Burlington Magazine 113, no. 817 (1971): 189</ref>  During his lifetime Leonardo did encourage some to privilege observation and experiment over the teachings of the Church and the Classics, which was critical in the later phase of the Renaissance. Leonardo helped to change the intellectual environment of the Renaissance to one that was much more modern in outlook. ====Was Leonardo da Vinci an inventor? ====

Leonardo was also an inventor and his notebooks are filled with many plans or drafts for inventions. Da Vinci drafted plans for a flying machine, diving suit, parachute, anemometer, armored car, self-propelled car, and even a robotic knight. Leonardo was one of the most prolific inventors in history. None of his inventions were ever developed into practical and working machines. They remained only designs on paper, even though there were ground-breaking ideas .<ref> Gibbs-Smith, Charles Harvard, and Gareth Rees. The inventions of Leonardo da Vinci. Phaidon Press, 1978, p 17</ref>. This was because Leonardo was not very good at finishing projects and he often lacked the resources to put his ideas into practice, such as for his plans for a robotic knight. His designs for various inventions were too far ahead of their time and would not have been understood by his contemporaries. Moreover, the technology was not available to develop his innovative ideas, this was why It was only in later centuries that his designs were appreciated. While Leonardo can be credited with having great ideas, his inventions made little or no impact on the Renaissance. <ref>Gibbs-Smith et al, p. 145</ref>.

====Conclusion====These ideas were not finished because Leonardo is one of the towering figures in the development of the Renaissance and indeed Western culturewas not very good at finishing projects. He was a remarkable man and a genuine polymath who had extraordinary insights and achievements. The Florentine was able also lacked the resources to develop new techniques in painting that revolutionized the art form and it inspired many of the greatest painters of the Renaissanceput his ideas into practice, such as Raphael. Leonardo had a great influence on sculpture and architecture in Italy during for his lifetime and after. Leonardo was also a scientist and interested in plans for a wide range of subjectsrobotic knight. His scientific discoveries, such as those in anatomy designs for various inventions were kept secret, largely out too far ahead of fear of the Churchtheir time and would not have been understood by his contemporaries. HoweverMoreover, his approach the technology was not available to study and develop his interest innovative ideas. It was only in nature, inspired many to adopt a more modern outlooklater centuries that his designs were appreciated. While Leonardo was a designer and inventor of genius. However, most of his can be credited with having great ideas remained only ideas and often impractical. Therefore, his inventions made little or no impact on the Renaissance.<ref>Gibbs-Smith et al, p. 145</ref>

====What was Leonardi da Vinci's impact on the World?====Leonardo is one of the towering figures in the development of the Renaissance and, indeed, Western culture. He was a remarkable man and a genuine polymath who had extraordinary insights and achievements. The Florentine was able to develop new techniques in painting that revolutionized the art form, and it inspired many of the greatest painters of the Renaissance, such as Raphael. Leonardo had a great influence on sculpture and architecture in Italy during his lifetime and after. Leonardo was also a scientist and interested in a wide range of subjects. His scientific discoveries, such as those in anatomy, were kept secret, largely out of fear of the Church.  However, his approach to study and his interest in nature inspired many people to adopt an outlook that veered from the teachings of the day. Leonardo was a designer and inventor of genius. However, most of his ideas remained only ideas and often impractical. Therefore, his inventions made little impact on the Renaissance. ====Further Reading====Kemp, Martin. Leonardo da Vinci: the marvellous marvelous works of nature and man. Oxford University Press, 2007.