Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci
Author: Walter Isaacson
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Total Pages: 624
Release: 2017-10-17
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 1501139177

The #1 New York Times bestseller from Walter Isaacson brings Leonardo da Vinci to life in this exciting new biography that is “a study in creativity: how to define it, how to achieve it…Most important, it is a powerful story of an exhilarating mind and life” (The New Yorker). Based on thousands of pages from Leonardo da Vinci’s astonishing notebooks and new discoveries about his life and work, Walter Isaacson “deftly reveals an intimate Leonardo” (San Francisco Chronicle) in a narrative that connects his art to his science. He shows how Leonardo’s genius was based on skills we can improve in ourselves, such as passionate curiosity, careful observation, and an imagination so playful that it flirted with fantasy. He produced the two most famous paintings in history, The Last Supper and the Mona Lisa. With a passion that sometimes became obsessive, he pursued innovative studies of anatomy, fossils, birds, the heart, flying machines, botany, geology, and weaponry. He explored the math of optics, showed how light rays strike the cornea, and produced illusions of changing perspectives in The Last Supper. His ability to stand at the crossroads of the humanities and the sciences, made iconic by his drawing of Vitruvian Man, made him history’s most creative genius. In the “luminous” (Daily Beast) Leonardo da Vinci, Isaacson describes how Leonardo’s delight at combining diverse passions remains the ultimate recipe for creativity. So, too, does his ease at being a bit of a misfit: illegitimate, gay, vegetarian, left-handed, easily distracted, and at times heretical. His life should remind us of the importance to be imaginative and, like talented rebels in any era, to think different. Here, da Vinci “comes to life in all his remarkable brilliance and oddity in Walter Isaacson’s ambitious new biography…a vigorous, insightful portrait” (The Washington Post).

Leonardo

Leonardo
Author: Serge Bramly
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Total Pages: 520
Release: 1991
Genre: Art
ISBN:

A full biography of Leonardo da Vinci, his life and times.

Becoming Leonardo

Becoming Leonardo
Author: Mike Lankford
Publisher: Melville House
Total Pages: 321
Release: 2018-04-03
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 1612197159

A Wall Street Journal Book of the Year A Spectator Book of the Year “A truly intimate portrait of one of the greatest creators in human history,” this biography of Leonardo Da Vinci “has the pace, elegance, and authorial omnipresence of a novel,” bringing both artist and Renaissance Italy to life (Noah Charney, author of The Art of Forgery) Why did Leonardo Da Vinci leave so many of his major works uncompleted? Why did this resolute pacifist build war machines for the notorious Borgias? Why did he carry the Mona Lisa with him everywhere he went for decades, yet never quite finish it? Why did he write backwards, and was he really at war with Michelangelo? And was he gay? In a book unlike anything ever written about the Renaissance genius, Mike Lankford explodes every cliché about Da Vinci and then reconstructs him based on a rich trove of available evidence—bringing to life for the modern reader the man who has been studied by scholars for centuries—yet has remained as mysterious as ever. Seeking to envision Da Vinci without the obscuring residue of historical varnish, the sights, sounds, smells, and feel of Renaissance Italy—usually missing in other biographies—are all here, transporting readers back to a world of war and plague and court intrigue, of viciously competitive famous artists, of murderous tyrants with exquisite tastes in art . . . Lankford brilliantly captures Da Vinci’s life as the compelling and dangerous adventure it seems to have actually been—fleeing from one sanctuary to the next, somehow surviving in war zones beside his friend Machiavelli, struggling to make art his way or no way at all . . . and often paying dearly for those decisions. It is a thrilling and absorbing journey into the life of a ferociously dedicated loner, whose artwork in one way or another represents his noble rebellion, providing inspiration that is timeless.

Leonardo Da Vinci

Leonardo Da Vinci
Author: Charles Nicholl
Publisher: Penguin UK
Total Pages: 955
Release: 2005-04-07
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 0141944242

Leonardo is the greatest, most multi-faceted and most mysterious of all Renaissance artists, but extraordinarily, considering his enormous reputation, this is the first full-length biography in English for several decades. Prize-winning author Charles Nicholl has immersed himself for five years in all the manuscripts, paintings and artefacts to produce an 'intimate portrait' of Leonardo. He uses these contemporary materials - his notebooks and sketchbooks, eye witnesses and early biographies, etc - as a way into the mental tone and physical texture of his life and has made myriad small discoveries about him and his work and his circle of associates. Among much else, the book identifies what Nicholl argues is an unknown portrait of the artist hanging in a church near Lodi in northern Italy. It also contains new material on his eccentric assistant Tomasso Masini, on his homosexual affairs in Florence, and on his curious relationship with a female model and/or prostitute from Cremona. A masterpiece of modern biography.

DK Life Stories: Leonardo da Vinci

DK Life Stories: Leonardo da Vinci
Author: Stephen Krensky
Publisher: Penguin
Total Pages: 128
Release: 2020-02-25
Genre: Juvenile Nonfiction
ISBN: 0744022525

Discover the inspiring story of Leonardo da Vinci, the artist, inventor, and engineer of the Italian Renaissance... Leonardo was a creative genius who wanted to understand how things worked. This book traces his life, from his birth in a hilltop village near Florence, Italy, through to his work as a painter, sculptor, and engineer. Leonardo made hundreds of drawings and paintings, including the Mona Lisa - probably the most famous painting in the world. Learn how Leonardo made detailed sketches of the human body and designs of parachutes, helicopters, and armored tanks - many years before the technology existed to build them. This new kids' biography series from DK goes beyond the basic facts to tell the true life stories of history's most interesting and inspiring people. Full-color photographs and hand-drawn illustrations complement age-appropriate narrative text to create an engaging book children will enjoy reading. Definition boxes, information sidebars, inspiring quotes, and other nonfiction text features add depth, and a handy reference section at the back makes DK Life Stories the one biography series everyone will want to collect.

Thoughts on Art and Life

Thoughts on Art and Life
Author: Leonardo da Vinci
Publisher: Lulu.com
Total Pages: 152
Release: 2009-10-26
Genre: Art
ISBN: 0557163935

A TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction I. Thoughts on Life II. Thoughts on Art III. Thoughts on Science IV. Bibliographical Note

Leonardo Da Vinci

Leonardo Da Vinci
Author: United Library
Publisher: United Library
Total Pages: 74
Release: 2021-09-04
Genre:
ISBN: 9789493261365

Leonardo da Vinci was a Renaissance painter, sculptor, architect, inventor, military engineer and draftsman. Endowed with a curious mind and a brilliant intellect, da Vinci studied the laws of science and nature, which greatly influenced his work. His drawings, paintings and other works have influenced countless artists and engineers over the centuries. "I have been impressed by the urgency of doing. It is not enough to know, you have to apply. It is not enough to want, you have to do" - Leonardo da Vinci This is the descriptive and concise biography of Leonardo Da Vinci.

The Life and Times of Leonardo Da Vinci

The Life and Times of Leonardo Da Vinci
Author: Vinod Kumar Mishra
Publisher: Prabhat Prakashan
Total Pages: 140
Release: 2013-01-01
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 8184303645

Step into the captivating world of one of history's greatest minds with "The Life and Times of Leonardo Da Vinci" by Vinod Kumar Mishra. Explore the remarkable journey of this Renaissance polymath through the pages of this insightful biography. Join Mishra as he delves deep into the life and legacy of Leonardo Da Vinci, the quintessential Renaissance man whose genius transcended boundaries and left an indelible mark on art, science, and humanity. Through meticulous research and engaging storytelling, Mishra paints a vivid portrait of Da Vinci's life, from his humble beginnings in Vinci to his enduring legacy as a visionary thinker and creator. With its blend of historical insight and literary flair, "The Life and Times of Leonardo Da Vinci" offers readers a comprehensive overview of Da Vinci's multifaceted genius. From his groundbreaking artworks such as the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper to his pioneering scientific discoveries and inventions, Mishra explores the full breadth and depth of Da Vinci's contributions to the world. But Mishra's biography goes beyond just recounting Da Vinci's achievements—it also delves into the personal struggles and triumphs that shaped the man behind the myth. Through intimate anecdotes and historical accounts, readers gain a deeper understanding of Da Vinci's humanity, his passions, and his relentless pursuit of knowledge. As you journey through the pages of this biography, you'll find yourself captivated by Da Vinci's insatiable curiosity, his boundless creativity, and his unwavering commitment to excellence. Mishra's compelling narrative brings to life the vibrant world of Renaissance Italy and the extraordinary individuals who inhabited it, offering readers a glimpse into the heart and mind of a true visionary. Whether you're a history buff, an art aficionado, or simply curious about the life of one of history's most fascinating figures, "The Life and Times of Leonardo Da Vinci" promises to enlighten and inspire. Pick up your copy today and embark on a journey through the life and legacy of a true Renaissance genius.

The Life and Works of Leonardo Da Vinci

The Life and Works of Leonardo Da Vinci
Author: Rosalind Ormiston
Publisher: Lorenz Books
Total Pages: 256
Release: 2017-09
Genre: Artists
ISBN: 9780857231505

A fascinating biography of the Renaissance artist and inventor, and gallery of paintings and drawings.