In this expert session, Michael Kwakkelstein, an art historian and scholar from the Dutch University of Art History in Florence, delves into the enduring influence of Leonardo da Vinci on art, science, and technology. Michael starts by discussing how the immense popularity of Leonardo's works, particularly the Mona Lisa housed in the Louvre Museum, makes it difficult for visitors to truly appreciate their true qualities due to the crowds. He emphasizes that before Leonardo painted the Mona Lisa, he conducted extensive research on nature and various elements, such as the Earth's transformation, water, and atmospheric perspective. These studies greatly influenced his painting techniques and artful approach.
Michael then shares insights into Leonardo's notebooks which hold a significant portion of his intellectual legacy. These notebooks have been instrumental in shaping our understanding of Leonardo as a universal genius and have influenced various fields, including art, science, and engineering.
Leonardo is known for his studies on flight and birds, with images from his notebooks and the "Codex of the Flight of Birds" displayed on the Mars Rover since 2012. These discoveries led to Leonardo being hailed as a prophet of modern science. As children, we often read about Leonardo, who studied how birds fly and contributed significantly to the fields of art, science, and technology. His curiosity and drive to understand the world around him are evident in his explorations of nature, learning various intellectual disciplines, and leaving behind extensive to-do lists.
Leonardo's chaotic thinking is demonstrated in his drawings, which often contained innovative illustration techniques to help others build machines or gain a better understanding of human anatomy. He was not just an artist but also a scientist who made significant contributions without publishing his research. His greatest contribution lies in his extensive anatomical research, which would have revolutionized the scientific community if published during his time.
Throughout history, Leonardo is known as the inventor of many things, but he primarily perfected existing technology by inventing innovative illustration techniques to enable others to build machines or gain a better understanding of human anatomy. His work continues to inspire and influence modern science and art. Michael Kwakkelstein then discusses Leonardo's unconventional working methods, including his fascination with contrasts in nature, aging processes, and extreme opposites, leading him to make extensive studies on human anatomy.
