Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci: The Original Renaissance Man? Famed for paintings such as The Last Supper and Mona Lisa, Leonardo da Vinci was a dedicated observer and a prolific journal writer. His notebooks reflect an insatiable appetite for learning, and a mind equally engaged by engineering and sculpture, hydraulics and oil paint, religious faith and human nature. By reading Leonardo’s writing and by examining his commissions—both complete and unfinished—we will explore how this single artist came to define our understanding of a “Renaissance man.” More recent scholarship will spark robust discussions of how best to understand the “afterlife” of an artist and his work and whether the moniker of Renaissance man is, in fact, apt.
Leonardo da Vinci: The Original Renaissance Man? Famed for paintings such as The Last Supper and Mona Lisa, Leonardo da Vinci was a dedicated observer and a prolific journal writer. His notebooks reflect an insatiable appetite for learning, and a mind equally engaged by engineering and sculpture, hydraulics and oil paint, religious faith and human nature. By reading Leonardo’s writing and by examining his commissions—both complete and unfinished—we will explore how this single artist came to define our understanding of a “Renaissance man.” More recent scholarship will spark robust discussions …Read more
Professor Smith Abbott (no hyphen) was my favorite professor this semester. She was so knowledgeable and passionate about the course material and made the class engaging. I intend on taking another art history course in a future semester just to have her as a professor again.
I loved this class. Professor Smith Abbott is an incredible teacher with lots of knowledge on the subject and genuinely a wonderful person. I have no qualms about this course and I would argue that this is the best first year seminar that the school offers. 10/10 would recommend. If I could take another class with Smith Abbott I would.
The course was very nice and I feel like I have learned a ton. It’s cool to feel like an expert on Leonardo Da Vinci. I recommend to anyone who considers themself a curious person. Smith Abbott is the best professor ever. Always enthusiastic and genuinely caring for her students. An incredibly talented and knowledgeable professor. Great course.
This first-year seminar on Leonardo da Vinci proved to be a delightful and enlightening experience. Despite not majoring in art history, I found the course accessible and enriching, offering a deep dive into da Vinci's multifaceted genius. The lectures were engaging, and the materials provided were insightful, allowing students from any discipline to appreciate and learn from his works.
This first-year seminar on Leonardo da Vinci proved to be a delightful and enlightening experience. Despite not majoring in art history, I found the course accessible and enriching, offering a deep dive into da Vinci's multifaceted genius. The lectures were engaging, and the materials provided were insightful, allowing students from …Read more