Thinking with Leonardo da Vinci: Creativity and Invention in the Renaissance

Catalog description

Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) is emblematic of creativity and innovation. His art is iconic, his inventions legendary. His understanding of nature, the human body, and machines made him a scientist and engineer as well as an artist. Leonardo's incessant curiosity about many things made him a lifelong learner and inveterate scribbler of ideas. His way of looking at and representing the world through his paintings and drawings continues to capture our imagination. This seminar explores the historical Leonardo, considering his interests and accomplishments as a product of the society of Renaissance Italy. Why did this world produce a Leonardo? Special attention will be given to interdisciplinary connections between art, science, and technology and we will look at original artifacts from Renaissance Italy in Special Collections, Cantor Arts Center, and Legion of Honor in San Francisco.