Exploring the Genius: A Review of ‘Leonardo Da Vinci' by Walter Isaacson

Chapter 1:Summary of Book Leonardo Da Vinci

Walter Isaacson's biography "Leonardo Da Vinci" delves into the life of one of history's greatest creative geniuses. Published in 2017, the book meticulously explores Leonardo's life through his notebooks, paintings, and inventions, illuminating his insatiable curiosity and inventive imagination.

Leonardo Da Vinci, born in 1452 in Vinci, Italy, had a wide range of interests that spanned various fields, including art, science, engineering, anatomy, and nature. Isaacson uses da Vinci’s famous notebooks, which contain over 7,200 pages of drawings and notes, to provide readers with insights into the mind of the genius. Clearly, da Vinci pursued knowledge for its own sake, and his lack of formal education did not hinder his relentless quest for understanding.

The biography also discusses many of Leonardo's masterpieces, like "The Last Supper" and the "Mona Lisa," analyzing the innovative techniques used and the human emotions captured that continue to fascinate people to this day. Isaacson highlights Leonardo's obsessive attention to detail, his transformative thoughts on human anatomy, which he discovered through dissection, and his futuristic inventions, some of which were not realized during his lifetime.

Isaacson also examines the personal aspects of da Vinci's life, including his vegetarianism, left-handedness, and probable homosexuality, suggesting how his nature influenced his art and scientific studies. Despite his numerous accomplishments, Leonardo is portrayed as human, experiencing failures, like his unfinished projects and his notorious procrastination.

The biography doesn’t just glorify da Vinci's successes but also illustrates how his tendency to question received knowledge, untangle complex phenomena, and navigate unknown intellectual territories made him a true "Renaissance man" who remains relevant in today’s creative and scientific realms.

Isaacson’s narrative is engaging and educational, shedding light not only on Leonardo's genius but also on how he can serve as an exemplar of blended art and science for future generations.

Chapter 2:The Theme of Book Leonardo Da Vinci

Walter Isaacson's biography "Leonardo Da Vinci" meticulously chronicles the life of the Italian polymath, providing insights into his extraordinary talents as an artist, inventor, scientist, and thinker. The book, which draws on thousands of pages from Leonardo's notebooks and extensive research by Isaacson, not only presents key events in da Vinci's life but also explores his character and thought processes, revealing how his mind worked and what we can learn from him. Here are some key points regarding the plot, character development, and themes in the book:

Key Plot Points

1. Early Life and Apprenticeship: The book begins with Leonardo's birth in 1452 in Vinci, an illegitimate child in a small town near Florence. His early talent in the arts leads to an apprenticeship under the renowned artist Verrocchio in Florence.

2. Flourishing in Milan: Leonardo moves to Milan to work for Ludovico Sforza, where he delves into scientific studies, theatre, and painting, producing masterpieces like The Last Supper.

3. Scientific Inquiry and Journals: Throughout his life, Leonardo filled numerous notebooks with sketches, scientific diagrams, and his thoughts on topics from anatomy to flight.

4. Stints in Rome and France: The biography also covers his time in Rome under the patronage of Giuliano de’ Medici and his final years in France, invited by King Francis I.

5. Final Years and Death: Leonardo's life concludes in 1519 in Amboise, France, where he continued to work until his death.

Character Development

Leonardo is portrayed as a relentlessly curious and easily...

Exploring the Genius: A Review of ‘Leonardo Da Vinci' by Walter Isaacson

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