Leonardo Da Vinci Research Paper Outline
Eva Hill
Ms. Peagler
English 10
April 21, 2014
Introduction and Thesis
The Renaissance era began around the 1300’s in Northern Italy. It means the “rebirth” of the Greco-Roman culture. If you look around, you notice that you are surrounded by that culture. Whether it is the art, the architecture, and or the culture in general you can find Renaissance in your daily life. Back in the day, art was a very important aspect in Italy. Art was centered on humanism, and putting man first. Now, the artistic lifestyle wasn’t for everyone, of course. But, it sure attracted a lot of attention from people on the streets to people around the world. Art is something that anyone can relate to, it shows a certain type of emotion that everyone feels. One …show more content…
of the most famous artists in the Renaissance time was Leonardo da Vinci. He is well known around the world, and in my opinion, shows true Renaissance character and value. He has one of the most intriguing personalities in the history of Western art. Is Leonardo da Vinci a true Renaissance artist?
Biography Leonardo da Vinci was born of a 25-year old notary, Ser Piero, and a peasant girl, Caterina on April 15th, 1452 in Venice, Italy.
His father took custody of him shortly after his birth, while his mother married someone lese and moved to a close town nearby. In total, Leonardo has 17 half brothers and sisters. Growing up, he has access to texts from scholars owned by friends and family. While also being exposed to his fathers painting tradition. When he was 15 years old, his father appointed him to the renowned workshop of Andrea del Verrochio in Florence. Leonardo stayed in the workshop until 1477, when he set up a shingle for himself in …show more content…
1483. In 1482, he entered the service of the Duke of Milan. He spent 17 years in Milan, leaving after the Duke’s fall of power in 1499. During these years, Leonardo hit his starting point, reaching new heights of scientific and artistic achievement. Not only was Leonardo a painter but also he was also a blacksmith, and designed buildings. He produced studies of subjects, including nature, flying machines, geometry, mechanics, municipal construction, canals and architecture. His workshop in Milan was thriving with apprentices and students. Leonardo discovered and accomplished so many new things, that he often never finished what he started. He only completed six works in 17 years, those being: “The Last Supper” and “The Virgin on the Rocks.” He spent a lot of his time studying science, either by going to explore nature and observing, or by locking himself away in his workshop pondering universal truths. After the invasion by the French in Milan in 1499, Leonardo was out on the streets searching for a new patron. Over the next 16 years of his life, he worked and traveled throughout Italy for a numerous amount of people. He developed the habit of recording information in illustrated books. His works covered four main themes: painting, architecture, the elements of mechanics, and human anatomy. These studies and sketches were collected into manuscripts. In 1504, Leonardo’s father died, since he had 17 other brothers and sisters, he was deprived of any inheritance. Later on, his uncle died and he was able to receive inheritance and the use of his uncle’s land. Although Leonardo suffered from paralysis of his right hand, he was still able to draw and teach. He produced studies for the Virgin Mary from “The Virgin and Child with St. Anne,” studies of cats, horses, dragons, and the nature of water. Leonardo da Vinci died on May 2nd, 1519, in Cloux, France. There have been rumors in the past the he died in the arms of King Francis.
Influences
Even though today we are greatly influenced by many of the Renaissance artists like Leonardo da Vinci, he himself had a great number of influences that made him the painter he was. He was greatly influenced by his childhood mentor, Verocchio, who made his skill of perspective so extraordinary. The call to objectify made Leonardo’s desire to paint things more realistically; he was always fond of using the scientific method. By studying anatomy and nature, Leonardo was able to make his paintings look more realistic and vivid. His thoughts were original, what’s more original than a thought? Being an artist by disposition and endowment, Da Vinci considered his eyes to be his main stairway to knowledge. According to Leonardo, sight was man’s highest sense because it conveyed the facts of experience. Every phenomenon perceived became an object of knowledge to Leonardo. “Saper Vedere,” knowing how to see, became a major them of Da Vinci’s studies. Influenced by new techniques, Leonardo used superb intellect, unusual powers of observation, and the concept of aerial or atmospheric perspective in landscapes. His only influences were not only nature but he also had a number of artistic influences. Along with his teacher, he was influenced by Hugo van der Goes, Andrea Salai, Marco d’Oggione, and Francesco Melzi. Leonardo and all of his teachers shared a similar style and it was always displayed in their work. Leonardo always carried his notebook around, recording every little bit of information he could find. One weird thing that scholars have noticed about the artist is that he mostly wrote in code or in backwards letters to throw people off who would read his work. Many of Da Vinci’s ideas and inventions were thought up far before their time. Engineering, architecture, and mathematical studies had a great influence on Da Vinci. His mathematical intellect made the painting The Last Supper easier.
Historical Significance of Mona Lisa The Mona Lisa is one of the most well known Renaissance paintings all over the world.
The Mona Lisa is said to be a portrait of the wife of a Florentine merchant, so her gaze would be meant for her husband. The Mona Lisa has very many mysteries, but the main one being her smile. To this day, it inspires many painters, sculptors, and writers. If you look closely at the paiting, the face of the woman is faced nearly frontal and the shoulders are turned three quarters toward the viewer. Leonardo uses his most famous characteristic in this painting, sfumato, and smokey haziness that softens outlines and gives the painting an atmospheric
effect. Leonardo combined Northern innovations and Italian painting’s understanding of the body and the perspectival treatment of the surrounding space. The Mona Lisa represented a new formula for not only Da Vinci but as well as the 16th century. Critics agree that the Mona Lisa conveys a strong sense of harmony both in her features but in the background as well. The facial expression in the painting has people suggesting that the woman is happy, but that can change depending on how it is viewed. The smile was an intentional device used by Da Vinci who used his deep knowledge and understanding of anatomy, light and perspective to create a “dynamic” facial expression. On August 21st, 1911, the most famous painting in the world went missing right off the walls of The Louvre in France. The museum closed for an entire week to do further research in the investigation, but there wasn’t enough evidence to find out what was really going on. Rumors and theories spread that the Germans did to start a ploy to demolish France. Other theories blamed it on a Louvre worker to prove how bad the security was in the museum. On September 7th, 1911, 17 days after the theft of the painting, French officers arrested Guillaume Apollinaire. There was no evidence on whether he had any knowledge or had any way participated in the theft so he was released five days later.
Summary and Conclusion Even though the Mona Lisa is one of the most known paintings around the world, people don’t know too much valid information. People argue whether it is the wife of a Florentine merchant or Leonardo’s wife. Whether it’s the techniques used by the artist, or the mystery behind the painting going missing, it has a different type of artistic balance. Leonardo wasn’t the type of artist who finished works completely, so the Mona Lisa is one of the few he did all the way. Leonardo da Vinci is a true Renaissance artist because he is unique. He was original. He always overthought, over questioned, and over analyzed, which is what made his paintings so realistic and different. Today, he has a huge impact on the world by the things he studied, wrote down, and of course the paintings he painted.
Works Cited
"Museum of Science, Boston." Leonardo Da Vinci. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 May 2014.
"Leonardo Da Vinci 's Notebook." Leonardo Da Vinci 's Notebook. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2014.
"25 Secrets of Mona Lisa Revealed." N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2014
"Smart History." Khan Academy. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2014
Eva Hill
Ms. Peagler
English 10
May 12th, 2014
Mona Lisa – Leonardo Da Vinci
Ms. Peagler
English 10
April 21, 2014
Introduction and Thesis
The Renaissance era began around the 1300’s in Northern Italy. It means the “rebirth” of the Greco-Roman culture. If you look around, you notice that you are surrounded by that culture. Whether it is the art, the architecture, and or the culture in general you can find Renaissance in your daily life. Back in the day, art was a very important aspect in Italy. Art was centered on humanism, and putting man first. Now, the artistic lifestyle wasn’t for everyone, of course. But, it sure attracted a lot of attention from people on the streets to people around the world. Art is something that anyone can relate to, it shows a certain type of emotion that everyone feels. One …show more content…
of the most famous artists in the Renaissance time was Leonardo da Vinci. He is well known around the world, and in my opinion, shows true Renaissance character and value. He has one of the most intriguing personalities in the history of Western art. Is Leonardo da Vinci a true Renaissance artist?
Biography Leonardo da Vinci was born of a 25-year old notary, Ser Piero, and a peasant girl, Caterina on April 15th, 1452 in Venice, Italy.
His father took custody of him shortly after his birth, while his mother married someone lese and moved to a close town nearby. In total, Leonardo has 17 half brothers and sisters. Growing up, he has access to texts from scholars owned by friends and family. While also being exposed to his fathers painting tradition. When he was 15 years old, his father appointed him to the renowned workshop of Andrea del Verrochio in Florence. Leonardo stayed in the workshop until 1477, when he set up a shingle for himself in …show more content…
1483. In 1482, he entered the service of the Duke of Milan. He spent 17 years in Milan, leaving after the Duke’s fall of power in 1499. During these years, Leonardo hit his starting point, reaching new heights of scientific and artistic achievement. Not only was Leonardo a painter but also he was also a blacksmith, and designed buildings. He produced studies of subjects, including nature, flying machines, geometry, mechanics, municipal construction, canals and architecture. His workshop in Milan was thriving with apprentices and students. Leonardo discovered and accomplished so many new things, that he often never finished what he started. He only completed six works in 17 years, those being: “The Last Supper” and “The Virgin on the Rocks.” He spent a lot of his time studying science, either by going to explore nature and observing, or by locking himself away in his workshop pondering universal truths. After the invasion by the French in Milan in 1499, Leonardo was out on the streets searching for a new patron. Over the next 16 years of his life, he worked and traveled throughout Italy for a numerous amount of people. He developed the habit of recording information in illustrated books. His works covered four main themes: painting, architecture, the elements of mechanics, and human anatomy. These studies and sketches were collected into manuscripts. In 1504, Leonardo’s father died, since he had 17 other brothers and sisters, he was deprived of any inheritance. Later on, his uncle died and he was able to receive inheritance and the use of his uncle’s land. Although Leonardo suffered from paralysis of his right hand, he was still able to draw and teach. He produced studies for the Virgin Mary from “The Virgin and Child with St. Anne,” studies of cats, horses, dragons, and the nature of water. Leonardo da Vinci died on May 2nd, 1519, in Cloux, France. There have been rumors in the past the he died in the arms of King Francis.
Influences
Even though today we are greatly influenced by many of the Renaissance artists like Leonardo da Vinci, he himself had a great number of influences that made him the painter he was. He was greatly influenced by his childhood mentor, Verocchio, who made his skill of perspective so extraordinary. The call to objectify made Leonardo’s desire to paint things more realistically; he was always fond of using the scientific method. By studying anatomy and nature, Leonardo was able to make his paintings look more realistic and vivid. His thoughts were original, what’s more original than a thought? Being an artist by disposition and endowment, Da Vinci considered his eyes to be his main stairway to knowledge. According to Leonardo, sight was man’s highest sense because it conveyed the facts of experience. Every phenomenon perceived became an object of knowledge to Leonardo. “Saper Vedere,” knowing how to see, became a major them of Da Vinci’s studies. Influenced by new techniques, Leonardo used superb intellect, unusual powers of observation, and the concept of aerial or atmospheric perspective in landscapes. His only influences were not only nature but he also had a number of artistic influences. Along with his teacher, he was influenced by Hugo van der Goes, Andrea Salai, Marco d’Oggione, and Francesco Melzi. Leonardo and all of his teachers shared a similar style and it was always displayed in their work. Leonardo always carried his notebook around, recording every little bit of information he could find. One weird thing that scholars have noticed about the artist is that he mostly wrote in code or in backwards letters to throw people off who would read his work. Many of Da Vinci’s ideas and inventions were thought up far before their time. Engineering, architecture, and mathematical studies had a great influence on Da Vinci. His mathematical intellect made the painting The Last Supper easier.
Historical Significance of Mona Lisa The Mona Lisa is one of the most well known Renaissance paintings all over the world.
The Mona Lisa is said to be a portrait of the wife of a Florentine merchant, so her gaze would be meant for her husband. The Mona Lisa has very many mysteries, but the main one being her smile. To this day, it inspires many painters, sculptors, and writers. If you look closely at the paiting, the face of the woman is faced nearly frontal and the shoulders are turned three quarters toward the viewer. Leonardo uses his most famous characteristic in this painting, sfumato, and smokey haziness that softens outlines and gives the painting an atmospheric
effect. Leonardo combined Northern innovations and Italian painting’s understanding of the body and the perspectival treatment of the surrounding space. The Mona Lisa represented a new formula for not only Da Vinci but as well as the 16th century. Critics agree that the Mona Lisa conveys a strong sense of harmony both in her features but in the background as well. The facial expression in the painting has people suggesting that the woman is happy, but that can change depending on how it is viewed. The smile was an intentional device used by Da Vinci who used his deep knowledge and understanding of anatomy, light and perspective to create a “dynamic” facial expression. On August 21st, 1911, the most famous painting in the world went missing right off the walls of The Louvre in France. The museum closed for an entire week to do further research in the investigation, but there wasn’t enough evidence to find out what was really going on. Rumors and theories spread that the Germans did to start a ploy to demolish France. Other theories blamed it on a Louvre worker to prove how bad the security was in the museum. On September 7th, 1911, 17 days after the theft of the painting, French officers arrested Guillaume Apollinaire. There was no evidence on whether he had any knowledge or had any way participated in the theft so he was released five days later.
Summary and Conclusion Even though the Mona Lisa is one of the most known paintings around the world, people don’t know too much valid information. People argue whether it is the wife of a Florentine merchant or Leonardo’s wife. Whether it’s the techniques used by the artist, or the mystery behind the painting going missing, it has a different type of artistic balance. Leonardo wasn’t the type of artist who finished works completely, so the Mona Lisa is one of the few he did all the way. Leonardo da Vinci is a true Renaissance artist because he is unique. He was original. He always overthought, over questioned, and over analyzed, which is what made his paintings so realistic and different. Today, he has a huge impact on the world by the things he studied, wrote down, and of course the paintings he painted.
Works Cited
"Museum of Science, Boston." Leonardo Da Vinci. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 May 2014.
"Leonardo Da Vinci 's Notebook." Leonardo Da Vinci 's Notebook. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2014.
"25 Secrets of Mona Lisa Revealed." N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2014
"Smart History." Khan Academy. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2014
Eva Hill
Ms. Peagler
English 10
May 12th, 2014
Mona Lisa – Leonardo Da Vinci