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

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