Leonardo DaVinci

In today's society it is extremely rare to find someone who is as highly knowledgable in over eight broad subject areas. From a young age, Leonard was very insightful and bright in a wide variety of subjects, arts, and crafts that comprised his palate of learning. Around the age of fifteen, Leo was already studying art and was apprenticed at the renowned workshop of Andrea del Verrochio. Leo was also given access to scholarly texts and was introduced to a wide variety of philosophies. Over the course of Leo's life he created numerous world renowned art prints and sculptures, such as the "Mona Lisa." As Leo grew and matured into a young man, he was given the opportunity to create and design weapons, buildings, and machinery. He also studied other topics such as nature, flying machines, geometry, mechanics, municipal construction, canals, and architecture. Many of his studies evolved into successful creations such as the submarine, a vessel that our navy continues to rely on today. Without his inventions, our current society would not have such war vehicles, since Leo laid the foundation to construct and develop them.
A great deal of Leo's time was dedicated to studying the sciences. He would explore and research his ideas by physically experimenting with his subjects and he would go out and explore the surrounding nature. In many scenarios, Leo locked himself in his workshop, so that he had the opportunity to cut open human bodies and ponder and test the theories of the human body and living things. His research was very controversial, since the Catholic church frowned upon violating the dead bodies of fellow humans. This made the process of experimentation very difficult for Leo. Leo was engaged to work on various projects for the Pope, who forbid him from dissecting bodies and physically studying human anatomy and physiology. I believe that there is no modern day equivalent for Leonardo DaVinci. Leonardo was a true "Renaissance man," who had interests and talents in both the arts and science. While there are many successful artists and scientists in the present day, none exhibit the genius that Leonardo displayed in so many diverse areas. Leo had virtually no support from his fellow colleagues within the church. Without the support of society, he had to work privately to research and produce his own art work and inventions. Today, many scientists and scholars have been given the opportunities to work and communincate with other scholars from around the world. They also benefit from the extensive use of computers and electronics, as well as from economical and social support. Leo was deprived of such support, with the exception of a few close friends, such as Niccolo Machiavelli, who helped Leo advance some of his artistry. Even today, very successful people such as Bill Gates, have purchased Leo's work for their own learning and understanding of his philosophies, as well for the betterment of their businesses. Without Leonardo DaVinci, our world would be truly lost. No one has had more impact on art and science than this diversely talented man.