This stunning spiral staircase was built in 1520 by Anne de La Rochefoucauld.
The design followed the drawings of Leonardo da Vinci, which were given to her by the King of France. x.com
The design followed the drawings of Leonardo da Vinci, which were given to her by the King of France. x.com
2. This is a map of Imola, Italy, and the one below is a Google Earth photo of the same city today.
Leonardo created what is considered to be "the most accurate map of its time" using advanced surveying and precise manual measurements of the city's buildings. x.com
Leonardo created what is considered to be "the most accurate map of its time" using advanced surveying and precise manual measurements of the city's buildings. x.com
3. The Last Supper
Renowned for its masterful use of space and perspective, this iconic painting is widely regarded as the spark that ignited the High Renaissance. x.com
Renowned for its masterful use of space and perspective, this iconic painting is widely regarded as the spark that ignited the High Renaissance. x.com
4. The Vitruvian Man represents Leonardo's conception of ideal body proportions.
It draws inspiration from the writings of Roman architect Vitruvius.
Art historian Carmen C. Bambach described it as "justly ranked among the all-time iconic images of Western civilization". x.com
It draws inspiration from the writings of Roman architect Vitruvius.
Art historian Carmen C. Bambach described it as "justly ranked among the all-time iconic images of Western civilization". x.com
5. Mona Lisa
Professor M. Livingstone explained the mystery of the Mona Lisa's smile: it becomes visible only when viewed peripherally, as it is composed of low spatial frequencies. The smile disappears when directly looked at due to the way our eyes process visual information. x.com
Professor M. Livingstone explained the mystery of the Mona Lisa's smile: it becomes visible only when viewed peripherally, as it is composed of low spatial frequencies. The smile disappears when directly looked at due to the way our eyes process visual information. x.com
6. Head of a girl
The eminent art expert Bernard Berenson called this masterpiece "the most beautiful drawing in the world." x.com
The eminent art expert Bernard Berenson called this masterpiece "the most beautiful drawing in the world." x.com
7. Over 500 years ago, Leonardo accurately portrayed the human fetus in its correct position within a dissected uterus. x.com
8. Helicopter
In the late 1480s, da Vinci sketched a concept for an "aerial screw," a flying device that closely resembles today's helicopter.
In addition to this, he envisioned several other flying machines, such as an early parachute and a hang glider. x.com
In the late 1480s, da Vinci sketched a concept for an "aerial screw," a flying device that closely resembles today's helicopter.
In addition to this, he envisioned several other flying machines, such as an early parachute and a hang glider. x.com
9. Da Vinci's Tank (1482)
In a letter to Ludovico Sforza, the Duke of Milan, he wrote: "I will make protected wagons, reliable and impregnable, which, piercing the enemy's ranks with the fire of their artillery, will destroy him, no matter how great the number of his soldiers." x.com
In a letter to Ludovico Sforza, the Duke of Milan, he wrote: "I will make protected wagons, reliable and impregnable, which, piercing the enemy's ranks with the fire of their artillery, will destroy him, no matter how great the number of his soldiers." x.com
10. Solar energy
Leonardo proposed the first industrial application of a concave mirror solar concentrator to be used for a water heater.
He also proposed a technology to weld copper using concentrated solar radiation. x.com
Leonardo proposed the first industrial application of a concave mirror solar concentrator to be used for a water heater.
He also proposed a technology to weld copper using concentrated solar radiation. x.com
11. During da Vinci's time, most people believed fossils were not ancient remains but formed by forces inside the earth trying to create life within rock.
He challenged this idea, arguing that fossils were the remains of ancient life, laying the foundation for paleontology. x.com
He challenged this idea, arguing that fossils were the remains of ancient life, laying the foundation for paleontology. x.com
12. He proposed the double-hulled ship design to protect against ramming and underwater damage from reefs or wreckage. Even if the outer hull was breached, the ship would still stay afloat.
However, the double hull would not appear in an actual ship for another 370 years. x.com
However, the double hull would not appear in an actual ship for another 370 years. x.com
13. The Virgin of the Rocks (1483–1486)
As a skilled botanist, Leonardo's deep understanding of plant life is clearly reflected in the Louvre version of this painting.
Each plant is portrayed with such precision that a botanist would easily recognize them. x.com
As a skilled botanist, Leonardo's deep understanding of plant life is clearly reflected in the Louvre version of this painting.
Each plant is portrayed with such precision that a botanist would easily recognize them. x.com
14. Saint John the Baptist
According to art critics, this is one of Leonardo's greatest artistic intuitions: "Describing St. John emerging from the darkness in almost shockingly immediate relation to the beholder, da Vinci magnifies the very ambiguity between spirit and flesh." x.com
According to art critics, this is one of Leonardo's greatest artistic intuitions: "Describing St. John emerging from the darkness in almost shockingly immediate relation to the beholder, da Vinci magnifies the very ambiguity between spirit and flesh." x.com
15. Leonardo is also celebrated as one of the greatest anatomists of all time.
His meticulous studies of the human body, including organs, bones, vessels, and muscles, are so exceptional that they are still featured in modern medical textbooks. x.com
His meticulous studies of the human body, including organs, bones, vessels, and muscles, are so exceptional that they are still featured in modern medical textbooks. x.com
16. This is a comparison between an anatomical drawing of a hand and a modern-day medical scan.
Experts suggest that his work "significantly foreshadows modern techniques such as MRI scans and 3D computer modeling." x.com
Experts suggest that his work "significantly foreshadows modern techniques such as MRI scans and 3D computer modeling." x.com
17. This drawing of the skull's bone structure is renowned for its accuracy and balanced proportions.
Peter Abrahams, professor of clinical anatomy at Warwick Medical School, revealed: "I still use his drawings to teach surgeons and medical students today." x.com
Peter Abrahams, professor of clinical anatomy at Warwick Medical School, revealed: "I still use his drawings to teach surgeons and medical students today." x.com
18. This is a design for a flying machine with wings based closely upon the structure of a bat's wings. x.com
19. Scuba gear
In 1500, while in Venice, da Vinci designed a diving suit for underwater sneak attacks on enemy ships.
The leather suit featured a bag-like mask with cane tubes connected to a cork diving bell on the surface. x.com
In 1500, while in Venice, da Vinci designed a diving suit for underwater sneak attacks on enemy ships.
The leather suit featured a bag-like mask with cane tubes connected to a cork diving bell on the surface. x.com
20. Studies of the aging process
His research on the impact of aging on facial features will never cease to amaze me.
This drawing is known as "profile of an old man." x.com
His research on the impact of aging on facial features will never cease to amaze me.
This drawing is known as "profile of an old man." x.com
“As a day well spent makes sleep seem pleasant, so a life well employed makes death pleasant.”
- Leonardo da Vinci
The polymath died in 1519 at the age of 67, possibly of a stroke.
A plaque in the Chapel of Saint Hubert at Château d'Amboise marks his presumed burial site. x.com
- Leonardo da Vinci
The polymath died in 1519 at the age of 67, possibly of a stroke.
A plaque in the Chapel of Saint Hubert at Château d'Amboise marks his presumed burial site. x.com
We’ve come to the end of this thread...
So, what is the essence of Leonardo's genius?
Walter Isaacson sums it up beautifully:
“Being curious about everything and curious just for curiosity’s sake, not simply because it’s useful, is the defining trait of Leonardo. It’s how he pushed himself and taught himself to be a genius. We’ll never emulate Einstein’s mathematical ability. But we can all try to learn from, and copy, Leonardo’s curiosity.”
So, what is the essence of Leonardo's genius?
Walter Isaacson sums it up beautifully:
“Being curious about everything and curious just for curiosity’s sake, not simply because it’s useful, is the defining trait of Leonardo. It’s how he pushed himself and taught himself to be a genius. We’ll never emulate Einstein’s mathematical ability. But we can all try to learn from, and copy, Leonardo’s curiosity.”
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