Essay On Leonardo Da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci is indefinitely one of the most important artists there is in all history. With his artistic styles, skills and discovery, he impinged the art industry most specifically in his time period the Renaissance, and remained influential even in the contemporary years. His works, which captures nature in the most realistic form of its time, and which emphasizes the importance of aesthetics combined with geometrical composition that purposefully pleases the eye, succeeded to grant da Vinci the title of one of the greatest artist prodigy in his era . His ability to move his audience in art is an admirable feat that inspired me to exalt his accomplishments, specifically his five most famous pieces: The Vitruvian Man, Self Portrait …show more content…
It is believed to be a portrait of Cecilia Gallerani, a mistress of da Vinci’s patron, the Duke of Milan. Recent discovery shows that before da Vinci finished this work, he changed his mind in the process, originally painting the portrait without its important subject, the ermine. The portrait, through its simplicity provides a massive symbolism. The two subjects within itself—Gallerani and the ermine, is a declaration of having each other. The lady seem to hold the ermine with endearment, as she cradles the creature in her arm. This could be interpreted as a declaration of love, between the two lovers, Gallerani and the Duke, who was at the time, nicknamed “The White Ermine.” However, it is not only because of the nickname the portrait included the animal. In the art, the ermine, is hinted to be white, which at the time could represent purity. The creature, whose coat is used as ceremonial robes, in itself mirrors the duke’s status, symbolizing luxury and wealth. The contrast between the subject matter and the background allows the audience’s eyes to focus on the radiance that the lady emits, and her distant stare portrays bashfulness and elegance. Although people of the contemporary may not be able to relate to this piece, it can be assumed that those who lived in the Renaissance era may have taken this piece as a sort of news as it was a declaration of relationship between