Initial thoughts and why I’m reading it: At a dinner over the holiday, my family somehow got on the subject of the Mona Lisa. I was curious how the Mona Lisa had come to end up in France, not Italy. Later that night, I asked the all-knowing Google for answers. I discovered that the Mona Lisa had been with Leonardo when he died in France, and was later purchased by King Francis I of France from one of Leonardo’s assistants. During this quick googling session, I realized how little I knew about Leonardo Da Vinci. I knew he was a ninja turtle, was a designer of weapons in an Assassins Creed game, and had painted the aforementioned Mona Lisa (which I have seen, but from afar because of the crowds). Not being impressed with my knowledge, I decided to ask for this biography for Christmas. I have never read one of Walter Isaacson’s biographies before; this is his new book, and I didn’t realize how popular it is. I also didn’t know that this biography is being turned into a movie with Leonardo Dicaprio playing Da Vinci. There are a lot of ways I think I could have heard of this book, but I am glad it came out of plain curiosity.

Curiosity has been one of my main takeaways from the book so far. Leonardo does not chase after money, but he thirsts for knowledge, and values it over anything. He is always looking at the world around him, and trying to solve its riddles. Before reading this I have never had a great understanding of, or desire to understand, art. I did not see much value in it. I now realize I was looking at it too narrowly. Leonardo did not see art as a picture or a sculpture, he saw art in everything, and used his art as an expression of knowledge. What he learned about: math, light, optics, anatomy, psychology, etc. is all on display in the pieces he created. One of the most interesting parts of the book to me so far, was reading about his painting, Ginevra de’ Benci. The author, Isaacson, notes that the painting is in Washington DC’s National Gallery of Art. This is actually the only Leonardo painting in the Americas.

This past Monday, President’s Day, I decided to use my day off to go see the painting. There was also an exhibit on Rafael going on at the same time, so I went to that, too. Below are some pictures. I knew Leonardo was going to be an interesting character, but I’m glad this book is giving me a fascination with a subject I ignorantly used to dismiss. I’m really enjoying the book and highly recommend it to anyone; even if your only experience with Leonardo is as a turtle.

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