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| F LoBuono |
A naked man, superimposed upon himself, arms outstretched, reaches out to touch the edge of an encompassing circle, enclosed within a square. It represents a perfect form in perfect proportion to both the earth and the universe - one fitting exactly within the others. Leonardo used the work of the Roman architect, Vitruvius (1st Century B.C.), in geometry as the basis for the sketch.
Leonardo was obsessed with proportion. As a mathematician (as well as a dozen other master titles he could claim) and an artist, he felt that the world had a certain order that was consistent and could be explained through the use of mathematical formulas and geometric equations. This, to Leonardo, was the obvious. However, what he looked to ultimately convey, and we should find within the work, is something beyond the "numbers". He notebooks, known as codices (codex), are crammed with the drawings, mathematical formulas and calculations that supported his theories. But, they are also filled with quotes and statements that give all of his work a HUMAN quality. This made him one of the first artists to incorporate the philosophy of Humanism into all of their work. Eventually, it would be the central theme that drove the great explosion of creativity and freedom known as the Renaissance.
One of the things that intrigues me most about Leonardo is his humanism. Reading his notebooks, one can certainly get the impression that Leonardo had a very healthy ego. He knew what he was good at and had no problem letting people know about it. In fact, in a most wonderful and fantastical letter he wrote to the Duke of Milan, one of the most powerful men in Europe at that time, reads like a resume. Within the body of the letter, Leonardo illustrates his skill as an engineer, particularly in wartime. He boasts of machines that only he could create. He also "brags" of his considerable skill as an artist. He desperately wanted to be famous and was willing to take the steps necessary to make him so. He felt that offering his wares to one of Europe's "top dogs" would help to insure that. He also realized that when push came to shove, unfortunately, there was more money and fame in war than there was in mere art.
Still, Leonardo never lost sight of human nature and that it was this quality that makes us divine. It is reflected in all his work of fine art (see "The Last Supper" and "La Gioganda", a.k.a. "The Mona Lisa"). But, he was also a pragmatist. Striking this balance was a lifelong quest. For example, his war machines were indeed terrifying. There were horse drawn scythes that would slice men into pieces. He created cluster bombs that, today, would be categorized as weapons of mass destruction. Still, at the same time, within his notebooks we can find many passages railing against the ravages of war. And, he was even a vegetarian! He predicts that a time will come when killing an animal for meat will be akin to murder. Leonardo was constantly looking for and exploring man's relationship to the world around him and how that might lead to the divine.
Leonardo was driven - to learn more, to know more, to feel more, to create more, to be more, to DO more. His thirst for knowledge went unabated until the day he died. And, he chided us to not only think, but to act:
"I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough: we must apply. Being willing in not enough; we must do.
I think his message is clear. Be an informed human being. Learn all that you possible can. And, then, take it to the next step - be involved. Be The Vitruvian Man - in balance with the world and the universe. Earn the title of HUMAN BEING. It's never been more important than it is right now. Our very future is at stake.
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