Leonardo da Vinci by Walter Isaacson is a bestselling biography of one of the most famous figures of all time, chronicling the life and times of Renaissance master Leonardo da Vinci. The book takes an in-depth look at the remarkable man behind the artist, scientist, engineer, and inventor.
Leonardo da Vinci was an astonishingly talented man who was ahead of his time. Born in 1452, da Vinci was an apprentice to the renowned Florentine sculptor Verrocchio, and at the age of twenty-two he established himself as an independent artist. Despite the fact that da Vinci never attained the financial success or fame attributed to his contemporaries such as Michelangelo and Raphael, he was a revolutionary thinker and craftsperson who lived up to the definition of Renaissance achievement.
Isaacson provides an engaging and comprehensive biography of da Vinci, full of anecdotes and detailed accounts of the artist's life and times. Leonardo's creativity and ambition were self-governing, and he kept notebooks filled with his musings, secrets, and personal vision. By exploring the source of his remarkable genius, and uncovering the hidden elements of his personality, Isaacson makes an effort to bring readers closer to the man behind the painter. From intimate events such as his sometimes tumultuous personal life, to a glimpse of the fascinating people who had an impact on his life, Isaacson offers a well-rounded portrait of the intricate life of da Vinci.
The book delves into the many facets of da Vinci's life, beginning with his most renowned art. Isaacson focuses on the production of some of his most celebrated work, including the mural in the Palazzo Vecchio, depicting episodes from the lives of the Duke and Duchess of Milan, and the painting of the Last Supper in the refectory of the Monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie. The book further dives into Leonardo's thinking and the breadth of his interests and passions, from botany and aerodynamics to engineering and anatomy, illustrating how he brought his brilliant originality and inquisitive mind to every aspect of his being. Da Vinci also confronted the morality of his work, and Isaacson covers how Leonardo's care for human life was often overlooked.
Leonardo da Vinci is a highly illuminating and impressive book. Isaacson reveals the mysteries surrounding da Vinci in an effort to find the source of his inspiration and depth of his talent. It's an engaging exploration of the legacy of one of the greatest minds of all time, and illustrates how his influence continues to be felt in our own day. From the captivating anecdotes spanning his lifetime, to the surprising aspects behind his life and work, Leonardo da Vinci is an essential biography for anyone interested in the Renaissance, or in the man behind the artist.
