Filling notebook after notebook with sketches, inventions, and theories,Leonardo da Vinci(1452 1519) not only stands as one of the mostexceptional draftsmenof art history, but also as amastermind and innovatorwho anticipated some of the greatest discoveries of human progress, sometimes centuries before their material realization.From the smallest arteries in the human heart to the far-flung constellations of the universe, Leonardo saw nature and science as being unequivocally connected. His points of inquiry and invention spannedphilosophy, anatomy, geology, and mathematics, from the laws of optics, gravitation, heat, and light to the building of a flying machine.In his painting, Leonardo steered art out of the Middle Ages with works such asThe Last Supperand the world-famousLa GiocondaorMona Lisadepicting not only physical appearances, but acompelling psychological intrigue and depthwhich continues to draw crowds of mesmerized visitors to masterpieces in Paris, Milan, Washington, London, and Rome.This book brings together some of Leonardo s most outstanding work to introduce a figure of infinite curiosity,feverish imagination, and sublime artistic ability, often described as having not enough worlds for to conquer, and not enough lives for to live (Alan Woods).
