How Leonardo da Vinci Changed the World

People Who Changed the World

14 Oct 202053:45

EducationalLearning

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TLDRThe video explores the remarkable life of Leonardo da Vinci, following his journey from birth in 1452 to his death in 1519. It details his artistic talents and famous works like The Last Supper and Mona Lisa, while also highlighting his intense curiosity, leading to groundbreaking discoveries in anatomy, engineering, astronomy, and more. However, much of his genius went unknown in his time since he rarely published his work. The video posits that had he shared his ideas more widely, da Vinci likely would have fundamentally altered the trajectory of science and society. His enduring influence stems not just from individual brilliance, but the spirit of open, relentless questioning that drove his explorations.

Takeaways

😲 Leonardo da Vinci was an illegitimate child born in 1452 in the small town of Vinci, Italy
🎨 He started working as an artist apprentice at age 14 under Andrea del Verrocchio in Florence
🔬 His lifelong curiosity and observational skills drove him to study many scientific fields
📝 He kept extensive notebooks with over 13,000 pages of drawings, diagrams and writings
😊 Despite his genius, he struggled with depression and self-doubt during difficult times
🚁 He envisioned flying machines like helicopters and designed early parachutes and gliders
🔭 He sketched a basic design for a telescope 100 years before Galileo
💡 He designed machines and structures far ahead of the technology available at the time
🎹 He was talented in music, theater and engineering in addition to art and science
🤔 His lack of publications meant many discoveries weren't known until after his death

Q & A

Why did Leonardo move from Vinci to Florence when he was young?
-Leonardo moved from Vinci to Florence with his father around 1464. As an illegitimate child, Leonardo was free to pursue whatever career he desired instead of being expected to become a notary like his father.
What made the Medici family important for the Renaissance in Florence?
-The Medici family ruled Florence at the time and created a political and cultural environment where artists like Leonardo, Botticelli and Michelangelo could thrive. Their patronage and support enabled the Renaissance to flourish in Florence.
Why did Leonardo focus on military engineering in his letter to the Duke of Milan?
-It's unclear why Leonardo emphasized military engineering instead of his artistic skills. Some believe his true passion was using his mind to invent and discover new ideas rather than art just being a job for money.
What led to Leonardo's giant horse statue never being completed?
-The 66 tons of bronze set aside for the statue were given to Ludovico Sforza's brother-in-law in 1494 to make cannons to defend against a French invasion, leaving no material for Leonardo's horse statue.
Why are many of Leonardo's war machines designs impractical?
-Many of Leonardo's designs were too technically advanced for 15th century technology. Also, by the time he finished one design he would move on to other curiosities rather than seeing concepts through to completion.
How did Leonardo's parachute design finally prove to work?
-In 2000, a man named Adrian Nicholas built a parachute following Leonardo's design using only 15th century materials and successfully tested it by jumping from a hot air balloon at 3000 meters.
What was the fate of Leonardo's giant Last Supper painting over the centuries?
-The Last Supper deteriorated soon after completion. Despite restoration attempts, it suffered damages during the French Revolution and in World War 2, but was carefully restored between 1978-1999.
How did the 1911 theft of the Mona Lisa bolster its fame?
-The publicity surrounding the investigation over the two years the painting was missing generated huge interest. Crowds flocked to finally see it when it was returned in 1914, and its fame endures today.
How has research into Leonardo's anatomical drawings advanced medical science?
-Analysis of his drawings has revealed many major discoveries centuries ahead of confirmation. If published in his time, his work would have vastly accelerated medical knowledge.
Why did the king of France hold Leonardo da Vinci as he died?
-King Francis greatly admired Leonardo and learned a lot from his universal genius. The painting depicts the king mourning the death of his close friend and treasured mentor.

Outlines

00:00

😃 Leonardo da Vinci - The Renaissance Man is Born

Introduces Leonardo da Vinci, describing his birth in 1452 in Vinci, Italy to an unwed peasant woman and wealthy father. Mentions his lack of formal education but encouragement of his curiosity and observation skills. Around 1464 he moves to Florence to live with his father and begins showing talent for art.

05:06

😊 Leonardo's Apprenticeship and Early Paintings in Florence

In 1468 Leonardo becomes an apprentice at Andrea Verrocchio's studio in Florence, studying alongside great artists. He learns skills across many disciplines while collaborating on paintings. Around 1472 he completes his first solo painting, The Annunciation. In 1476 he is accused but cleared of sodomy charges, leading many to believe he was gay.

10:10

🤔 Leonardo's Insatiable Curiosity and Interests

Around 1480 Leonardo begins keeping notebooks filled with drawings, writings, and sketches - over 7000 survive today. His notebooks reveal his endless curiosity about all subjects, though rarely discuss his personal life. Some writings suggest he suffered from depression around age 30.

15:12

😯 Leonardo's Sketches and Designs for Inventions

In the 1480s and 90s Leonardo sketches and designs many inventions far ahead of his time, including a helicopter, tank, calculator, breathing apparatus for diving, parachute, telescope and more, though most are never constructed.

20:16

😲 Leonardo's Anatomical Studies Change Medical Science

From 1488 on Leonardo is obsessed with anatomically studying the human body. He dissects over 30 corpses and makes over 240 detailed drawings of muscles, organs, bones and more that would have transformed medicine had they been published.

25:21

🤩 Leonardo's Famous Artworks Captivate the World

In the late 15th and early 16th century Leonardo paints some of his most renowned works including The Last Supper, Lady with an Ermine, Vitruvian Man, and beginning in 1503, the Mona Lisa, which becomes the most famous painting ever partially due to its theft in 1911.

30:27

😞 Attempts to Fly and The Later Years

In 1505 and on Leonardo continues to study flight and test flying machines. Between 1513-1517 he largely stops painting and moves to Rome then France by invitation. He focuses efforts on architecture and anatomy. In 1519 at age 67 he dies in the arms of the French king.

35:34

🌟 Leonardo da Vinci's Enduring Legacy

Though most of Leonardo's discoveries were unpublished, his art greatly shaped world culture. Had his notebooks been released, he likely would have radically changed science and technology. He inspires people to be curious, observant, ask questions and love knowledge.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Renaissance

The cultural 'rebirth' across Europe in art, science, and thinking during the 14th-17th centuries. Da Vinci was at the center of the Renaissance in Italy, exemplifying the spirit of innovation, creativity and curiosity that defined the era.

💡Anatomy

The study of the bodily structure of humans, animals, and other organisms. Da Vinci pioneered the detailed study of anatomy through dissection to inform his art and science. His anatomical drawings and models were incredibly detailed and advanced for their time.

💡Engineering

The application of science and math to design and build structures, machines, and systems. As an engineer, da Vinci designed innovative machines, weapons, buildings, and more based on his scientific understanding.

💡Flying machines

Da Vinci produced many designs and models of human-powered flying contraptions to try to achieve human flight. Though unsuccessful in his time, they showed his relentless inventiveness to push boundaries.

💡War machines

Da Vinci created designs for innovative weapons and combat vehicles, likely to curry political favor. This contrasts with his compassionate spirit. Few were built but they displayed creative military thinking.

💡Hydronamics

The study of liquids in motion. Da Vinci studied and wrote extensively on water dynamics, flow, erosion, waves, and more based on scientific observation, even creating accurate models.

💡Astronomy

The study of celestial objects and phenomena beyond earth. Da Vinci studied astronomy to understand cosmological connections to humanity but made errors due to technological limitations.

💡Curiosity

A strong desire to know, explore and understand the world. Da Vinci's intense curiosity across arts, science, nature drove his prolific creativity and innovations in many fields.

💡Observational skills

The ability to notice, analyze and understand elements around you. Da Vinci leveraged keen observation of life, motion and nature to inform his inventions and art.

💡Notebooks

Da Vinci's copious personal notebooks covering inventions, art, science etc. If published in his time, they could have transformed many fields. But his legacy continues to inspire.

Highlights

Leonardo da Vinci was an illegitimate child born to a peasant girl named Caterina and a wealthy Florentine man named Ser Piero.

Leonardo's grandfather and uncle encouraged his curious mind and power of observation to flourish, sending him into the fields and vineyards to study plants and animals.

Leonardo moved to Florence at age 12 to pursue art instead of becoming a notary like his father.

Andrea del Verrocchio took Leonardo on as an apprentice at his famous Florence workshop after seeing his artistic talent.

The House of Medici family enabled the Renaissance in Florence by creating a supportive political and cultural environment for artists.

Leonardo's angel in Verrocchio's painting The Baptism of Christ totally outshines the rest of the work.

Leonardo was one of the first to portray artists as more than craftsmen, becoming a local celebrity in Florence.

If published earlier, Leonardo's discoveries and inventions likely would have fundamentally changed the world beyond just art.

Leonardo studied anatomy extensively, dissecting over 30 corpses and making over 240 detailed anatomical drawings.

Leonardo created one of the first known solidifying mediums to define internal body structures.

Leonardo's parachute, tank, helicopter, and telescope designs were revolutionary and centuries ahead of their time.

The mysterious theft of the Mona Lisa in 1911 and its absence for 2 years made the painting world famous.

80% of visitors to the Louvre reportedly come just to see the Mona Lisa.

If published earlier, Leonardo's anatomical studies alone would have changed medical history.

We can channel Leonardo's intense spirit of curiosity, observation, and discovery even if not matching his genius.

Transcripts

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