Morris Philipson argues that, Leonardo da Vinci can be viewed ‘as an ideal of fulfillment in an age of frequent frustration, as an idea of completeness in an era of fragmentation (Leonardo da Vinci, Aspects of the Renaissance Genius [1966], p. vii)’. During the whole life, da Vinci achieved huge success in various areas, including drawing, sculpture, architecture, mathematics, physics, astronomy, geology, physiology and music. His knowledge and understanding of the world demonstrated in his paintings, projects and notebooks still amazes in the present age (208). Generally, da Vinci embodied the concept of the “universal man” described by Machiavelli.
Drawing is one of da Vinci’s greatest achievements. Mona Lisa presents his exquisite artistic attainments. It is an oil painting that da Vinci directly drew on poplar. It successfully shaped an image of wealthy woman in the rising period of capitalism. Woman in the drawing sit elegantly and has a delicate smile, and the deep and serene landscape in the background greatly present da Vinci’s atmospheric perspective. da Vinci’s use of sfumato imitates the effects of human vision, and it was his own variation on the chiaroscuro technique, which was developed by other masters during the early Renaissance (211). Under the influence of humanism, da Vinci attached importance to the emotion and feelings of human beings.
He masterly combined the colorful inner world and beautiful appearance of the figure, and paid much attention to the corner of the eye and the mouth of the figure, which show the feeling and emotions. The figure’s mysterious smile attracts great concerns of various people, and makes them take time to explore the secrete behind the smile. Furthermore, in terms of composition, da Vinci changed previous habit in drawing portraiture. He did not draw a side bust portrait but frontal bust portrait with a higher perspective point. A pyramid-shaped composition makes the figure seem more elegant and sedate. Besides, a pair of hands of Mona Lisa are soft, tender, and plump, which show her gentle, identity and social status. Therefore, people could feel da Vinci’s brilliant technique and heightened awareness in nature. According to da Vinci, painting is the highest art and it enables painters to create all enchanting beauties with their imaginations (211).
Da Vinci’s abilities are also showed in other areas. In Proportions of the Human Figure, da Vinci demonstrated how the human figure generate the perfect geometry of square and the circle through the proportions (209). He let people know the mathematics of the nature and pay attention to human themselves. As he believed that, human beings were less reliable than the machines, he designed a large number of devices, which cannot be found at his time. He also outlined certain versions of modern technology such as the airplane and the tank (209). Even though da Vinci did not make most of his design become the truth, his thought and knowledge of the world revolutionizes mechanics and anatomy.
In general, da Vinci embodied the concept of “universal man” described by Machiavelli. His achievement in painting, mathematics, machines and other areas amaze the world.