Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci is the main character and subject of this biography. Born outside Florence in 1452, Leonardo da Vinci is now a cultural, artistic, and scientific icon who is seen to epitomize the figure of the Renaissance Man. In truth, he was a key contributor to the Italian Renaissance in several fields, including painting, engineering, anatomy, geometry, and more, thus embodying the interdisciplinary intellectual and creative spirit of the era. As a man, not much is known about Leonardo, and what is known is often overshadowed by his position as a cultural icon. However, throughout this book, author Walter Isaacson attempts to humanize Leonardo da Vinci, making his genius seem more accessible to the reader.

Contrary to popular portrayals, Leonardo's genius was not characterized by superhuman intelligence or divine gift. Instead, it was the result primarily of acute observational skills and avid curiosity about the...