Leonardo [Taschen]

Painter, inventor, architect, scientist, and engineer: Leonardo da Vinci stands to this day as one of the most accomplished human beings ever to have lived.

Whether exploring the smallest arteries of the human heart, depicting exquisite biblical scenes, or pondering the far-flung constellations of the universe, Leonardo da Vinci's insatiable quest for knowledge, invention, and beauty continues to inspire.

The unstoppable curiosity and inventiveness of da Vinci fills notebook after notebook with sketches, inventions, and theories. Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) not only stands as one of the most exceptional draftsmen in art history, but also as a mastermind and innovator who 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 spanned philosophy, 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 as The Last Supper and the world-famous La Gioconda or Mona Lisa. His paintings depict not only physical appearances but also a compelling psychological intrigue and depth, which continues to draw crowds of mesmerized visitors to masterpieces in Paris, Milan, Washington, London, and Rome.