2007-03-17 19:12:45 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Painting
I think the major reason that Leonardo is so revered today is largely down to luck.
The Renaissance was a period when art particularly and science flourished. There were many people, like Leonardo, who were interested in many different topics. Unlike Leonardo, not much of their work and writings survive to this day.
Leonardo was a genius, yes, but he had the fortune to be employed by some of the most influential men of the time, and to have much of his writing survive to modern times.
I believe his paintings to be superb, but inferior to Michelangelo and Raphael. Again, his popularity I believe to be down to luck - the Mona Lisa becoming famous last century due to its theft - and the attentions of a certain Dan Brown have done no harm to his fame either.
Not inspirational, but a master and a very lucky one at that.
.........and as regards all this tosh about the eyes of the Mona Lisa following you around the room - yes they do, as do the eyes on several hundred other portraits I can think of.......look at some Rembrandt self-portraits for instance.
2007-03-17 19:23:19 · answer #1 · answered by the_lipsiot 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you visit the Louvre and see his paintings you will know the answer to this question. When you look at most paintings you will comment about what the painting does for you, or what you like about it or dislike. 'when you look at Leonardo's paintings, especially the Mona Lisa, it is as if the painting is looking at you and judging you from its perspective. No other artist has been able to capture that ability where the painting comes to life and becomes the observer. An internet repro doesn't do his paintings justice. And his only painting in the USA in the National
Gallery is really inferior.
So go to Paris or London and you will see what makes him the greatest painter ever.
2007-03-17 19:58:59 · answer #2 · answered by Lawrence T 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably because he was far-thinking. He was able to envision a solution to problems that would have been unthinkable at the time. His war machines and flying machines accurately show what had not yet been invented.
This insight is visible in his paintings, as well. He seems to be able to capture the soul of the person he paints. As someone here said, you have to see his paintings in person.
Although the eyes of the Mona Lisa bring you into another world, you must look at her mouth. Her mouth expresses long-suffering patience.
Regards,
Bistro
2007-03-18 02:39:10 · answer #3 · answered by Bistro 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He lived in a time when being talented was the norm. Not everybody was, but many were expected to be. Da Vinci began young drawing and studying art, music, science, and math. People expected a lot out of him, and he gave them more than they could handle.
2007-03-17 19:18:19 · answer #4 · answered by TheSilverBeetles 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
many ppl will say it was his paintings like the Mona Lisa but actually it was all his war inventions that made him so inspirational such as the tank the catapult he was ahead of his time in war
2007-03-17 19:20:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because of his paintings, and sketches, along with some of the inventions he thought up during his time.
2007-03-17 19:15:09 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think he was overhyped
2007-03-17 19:15:28 · answer #7 · answered by Bliss. 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he isn't
2007-03-17 19:16:23 · answer #8 · answered by Foxalot 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋