Summary

Chapter Seven opens with a description of Leonardo as a person, rather than an icon. As Isaacson writes, he "became known in Milan not only for his talents but also for his good looks, muscular build, and gentle personal style" (129). His early biographer Vasari described him as "a man of outstanding beauty and infinite grace" whose "great presence brought comfort to the most troubled soul" (129). Leonardo loved animals, was vegetarian, and was not motivated by wealth or material possessions. In July, a young man known as Salai came to live with Leonardo as a companion, assistant, and student. In addition, "probably at some point he became a lover" (131). Even before this period, Leonardo "began what would be a lifelong pattern of juxtaposing sketches of an androgynous, curly-haired pretty boy facing a craggy older man [...] with a jutting chin and aquiline nose" (133). After Salai...