Leonardo Da Vinci: The Renaissance Man

From the fourteenth to the seventeenth century the Renaissance transformed European culture and society. Many classical texts resurfaced and new scientific techniques arose. To many, Leonardo da Vinci is one of the most important figures in Renaissance history. He was given the name “Renaissance Man” because of his large role and impact. He had a large list of interests that spanned from science, art, anatomy, architecture, and mathematics. All of which were fundamental components that shaped the Renaissance era into what we know it as today.

Perhaps one of the most famous paintings Leonardo da Vinci painted is the Mona Lisa in which he painted in 1503. Many experts believe the portrait is of a very wealthy women who lived in Florence whose

His incredibly important discoveries would’ve changed the European knowledge on the subject. His papers were untouched and unseen by the outside world for almost 400 years. Leonardo was very interested in the human body. His fascination led him to many hospitals and morgues around Florence. He performed dissections of the human body and even took part in executing criminals. He became incredibly close to revealing how blood circulation worked. One of his most famous anatomical drawings was of a hundred year old man who seemed to be in perfect health just hours before he passed away. The body was then dissected by Leonardo in hopes of determining the cause of death. It was found that the man had cirrhosis of the liver and a blockage in an artery in his heart. This became known as the first description of coronary vascular occlusion.

It is heavily believed that Leonardo da Vinci led the scientific revolution. Although most people know him as an artist, many fail to realize he played a much more important role in the Renaissance than just that. When he started the scientific revolution it revolutionized how scientists did their research and it’s an impact that still exists

One of his creations was the flying machine. He loved the idea of people soaring like birds and wanted to make that dream a reality. The designs of the flying machine is clearly inspired by the wings of animals that could fly. Leonardo da Vinci’s flying machine has a wingspan of over 33 feet. The frame of the machine was made out of pine that was covered in silk. A sleek and light design that also proved to be sturdy. The way the machine worked is the pilot would lie face down on the board and he would have pedal a crank that was connected to a rod-and-pulley system. There was also a hand crank that was available. This was used for additional energy and the steering was done with a head piece. The pilot was to work the crank with both his hands and feet at the same time. Doing so would cause the wings to flap. A unique feature was the wings were designed to twist when they flapped. This design was an inspiration from nature. Besides his flying machine, he also conceived the idea for a parachute. Although credit for the first parachute doesn't formally go to Leonardo da Vinci he did create the design for it a couple hundred years before it was actually invented. He made a sketch of the idea but he never actually built and tested it for himself. Many of his inventions were never truly built and tested. Leonardo wasn’t only engrossed with the sky,