Leonardo da vinci

Leonardo da vinci (april 15, 1452 - May 2, 1519) was a painter, sculptor, architect, musician, engineer, scientist, mathematician. He is one of the brightest minds that visited this planet.

His surname 'vinci' is name of a town near Florence in Italy. His mother, Caterina was a peasant who was never married by his father Piero and so Leonardo was illegitimate son of his parents. Leonardo's mother later married some other person. His father also married another woman but as he could not have children from her hence he adapted Leonardo and gave him best education.

Leonardo started painting in early age. Seeing his potential his father sent him to Andrea del Verrocchio who was renowned sculptor, painter and goldsmith. Under Verrocchio, Leonardo learned techniques and methods that supplemented his skill. Soon he was excelling in geometry, he picked up art of making colors, preparing panels for placing paintings, clay and bronze casting and his skills in painting were honed. At age of 20, Leonardo was enrolled as master in painters guild, he also ended his apprenticeship at this age. However he continued working with his master.

Leonardo did more sketches and drawings then paintings. His notebook which had about 4200 pages recorded his work, interesting thing about this notebook is that one has to use mirror to read it as Leonardo recorded notes in reverse way.

Aircraft : In the beginning of 16th century Leonardo studied birds. It is said that his fascination with birds was due to his early childhood encounter with birds, when he was two one bird fell at the cot on which he was sleeping. As an adult Leonardo would love to buy birds and set them free from cage. His first design for flying machine ornithopter (orinthos - birds & Pteron - wings) was aimed to make human beings fly like birds. He also developed designs for aircraft, gliders, helicopter and even parachute. His helicopter design had a revolving rotar on a vertical axis. Similarly his glider model had frame and six wings. Principle of aerodynamics were used by him. Parachute was also first conceived by Leonardo. In 1785 Jean Pierre Blanchard mentioned Leonardo as an influence in his quest for parachute.

More than 10,000 drawings of Leonardo have been found worldwide.

Anatomy - Vitruvian man (drwaing of anatomy of man) has become classical symbol of human body over centuries.

Painting - Mona Lisa (also called La Gioconda) which was commissioned by her husband Francesco is the most famous painting in the world. This painting gives an impression that her eyes are looking at you. In India it is believed that master painters keep in mind concept of third eye which is related to 'Shiva' this results in feeling that painting is looking at the person who is seeing it.

The Last Supper - This painting represents scene of the last supper of Jesus with his twelve apostles.

Music - Leonardo was a good singer. He played Lyre. He became proficient in music very fast.

Leonardo da vinci's scope and depth of interest are without precedence in human history. His mind, personality and achievement are of superhuman and yet the person himself was mysterious and remote.