16 Interesting Facts About Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci was a renowned Italian genius famous worldwide in the 16th century. He left humanity a vast treasure of masterpieces and significant inventions that continue to influence our lives today. The following article will highlight 16 interesting facts about this remarkable figure in human history.

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A self-portrait of da Vinci and an excerpt from one of his sketches

Leonardo da Vinci was born on April 15, 1452, and passed away on May 2, 1519. According to some historical records, he was the illegitimate son of a notary named Ser Piero and a peasant woman named Catarina. He was a polymath Italian genius, known for timeless works such as “Mona Lisa”, also known as La Gioconda, and “The Last Supper”, along with artistic principles like the golden ratio and the 1:3 rule.

Additionally, he was the pioneer of fundamental concepts that later became widely applied in human life, such as the helicopter, tank, parachute, and computer. Leonardo da Vinci may well be the only person considered a true polymath (talented in every field) to this day.

A reconstruction of “The Last Supper” by Leonardo da Vinci

However, many interesting truths remain hidden around the tumultuous life of this genius. Below are some intriguing facts about Leonardo da Vinci compiled for your interest.

1. A Love for Birds

He even bought birdcages just to set the birds free.

2. A Multitalented Individual

Not only a famous painter, Leonardo da Vinci also excelled in various fields such as a scientist, inventor, architect, engineer, writer, musician, physician, anatomist, creator, and natural philosopher… He possessed exceptional skills in everything he was interested in.

3. Energetic and Keen in Many Activities

Excerpts from some of Leonardo da Vinci’s sketches

Leonardo da Vinci was quite interested in the flying abilities of birds; thus, he researched and created a prototype of a glider for testing. Although it was not feasible at the time, his designs became the foundation for modern science and architecture, evidenced by helicopters, gliders, submarines, machine guns, pulleys, and aircraft carriers.

4. A Unique Sleep Regimen

With a high IQ (180 points), Leonardo da Vinci demonstrated creativity through unique scientific methods. One of these was a sleep regimen he created and applied. His secret was to nap for 15 minutes every 4 hours, reducing the average 8 hours of sleep to just 75 minutes. This allowed him to extend his awake time without feeling fatigued.

5. Anatomy Studies

He was an expert in studying the human body, and anatomy was a field of great interest to him. He studied in detail and created hundreds of drawings to clarify his thoughts. The Vitruvian Man is one of his famous drawings depicting the relationship between human body proportions and geometry.

6. The Famous Mona Lisa and Its Mysteries

Many researchers say that Leonardo da Vinci might have spent up to 10 years painting the lips of Mona Lisa in the artwork. According to a study conducted through recognition software, it was found that the probability of Mona Lisa smiling is very high, up to 83%, while 9% confirmed it as a state of contempt, 6% fear, and 2% anger.

In addition to this famous painting, he also left the art world with other classic works such as “The Last Supper”, “Lady with an Ermine”, and “Madonna of the Rocks”, all possessing unique nuances and mysteries.

7. Explaining Many Phenomena and Mysteries of Humanity

He discovered the explanations for why the sky is blue and why we can see the “full” image of the moon even on waning nights. Regarding the blue sky, he explained it as the result of light scattering through the atmosphere, while the latter phenomenon is understood as sunlight reaching the Earth and reflecting onto the moon as a form of secondary illumination (earthshine). This type of light can only be observed on the dark side of the moon.

8. Writing Backwards

Leonardo da Vinci used backward writing in his works and sketches. This means viewers would need a mirror to read the content. This seems to have been his intention to keep secrets from others.

9. Contributions to Society

Paper was a luxury during Leonardo’s time, so he utilized it sparingly by writing on nearly every side of the paper. Another interesting detail is that he was a lifelong vegetarian. This was perhaps unusual for that era, but he dared to do so for humanitarian reasons.

10. Famous Quotes

In his short yet eventful life, he distilled many experiences and has left behind famous quotes that are still recognized today. For instance, one of his predictions about the future appearance of the telephone was: “Humans will converse from the farthest places and will respond to each other.” Another prediction regarding modern cars was: “You may see many people flying on large beasts heading toward their own demise. On the ground, there will be colorful creatures bringing humans to the destruction of their lives.”

Some other quotes include: “The noblest joy is the joy of understanding,” “Tears come from the heart, not from the brain,” “All the knowledge we have comes from within our own understanding,” “Learning never exhausts the mind,”…

11. A Lesser-Known Figure

Today, we all recognize Leonardo da Vinci as a multi-talented genius. However, during his time, Leonardo was not famous for his unique creations or their applications; he engaged in various odd jobs to make a living, such as playing the lyre at the court of Milan.

12. “Inventing” Timeless Details

Sketch of Leonardo da Vinci’s inventions.

It’s hard to believe that Leonardo da Vinci sketched and invented such things as these in the late 1400s and early 1500s. In fact, he was the first to draft designs for the parachute, airplane, and helicopter. He also designed the first tank and the first rifle. If that’s not enough, Leonardo da Vinci also conceptualized the first swing bridge, a four-wheeled cart, and the first automobile.

13. A Love for Water

Leonardo had a profound love for water. This passion is evident in many of his works: snow shoes, a breathing apparatus for underwater exploration, a life buoy, and a diving bell.

14. No Formal Schooling

Leonardo did not receive a formal education in the traditional sense during his childhood. As the son of an unmarried couple, he was ostracized at school. Consequently, Leonardo had to teach himself. Nature was his classroom. He learned to observe, theorize, and then rigorously test his knowledge. His passion for learning is reflected in the detailed notes and codes found in his later works.

15. Belief in the Superiority of Painting Over Sculpture

He once claimed that he found sculpture to be less noble than painting because it required “less skill” and did not involve “all that can be perceived in nature.” Specifically, a sculptor could create their work without considering color, light, and shadow, he argued.

16. Frequently Abandoning Art Projects

The Mona Lisa was a commissioned work by Francesco del Giocondo, a wealthy silk merchant of the Medici. Giocondo never received the painting. Other works, such as the Sforza Horse monument and the mural of the Battle of Anghiari, were also left unfinished by Leonardo. In his later years, he even grew tired of painting and could not “bear to see a paintbrush.”

• Timeless Designs of Leonardo da Vinci
• Leonardo da Vinci and Secrets Not Commonly Known
• Genius Predictions of Leonardo da Vinci