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Leonardo's Universe: The Renaissance World of Leonardo Da Vinci
Some five centuries after his birth, readers still hungrily ponder the mysteries behind Leonardo Da Vinci's sketch-filled notebooks, radical inventions, and enigmatic paintings. This stunning book explores his insights in a magnificently illustrated and informative style. Every page resonates with Leonardo's genius, demonstrated by his own art and writings and modern diagrams and workable re-creations of his inventions.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 6, 2008
4 people are currently reading
212 people want to read
About the author
Bülent Atalay
6 books8 followersBülent Atalay is a Turkish-American educator, author, scientist, and artist.
Born in Ankara, Turkey in 1940, Atalay is the author of the best selling book, Math and the Mona Lisa: the Art and Science of Leonardo da Vinci, initially published in English by Smithsonian Books in 2004, and subsequently in 13 foreign languages. A more recent book, Leonardo’s Universe: the Renaissance World of Leonardo da Vinci, coauthored with Keith Wamsley, was released by National Geographic Books in late 2008, and immediately listed among Encyclopædia Britannica Blog's "Ten Must-Have Reference Books from 2008." He is also a blog writer for National Geographic Newswatch.
A theoretical nuclear physicist, he is the author of numerous technical articles in physics. He has been a professor of physics for four decades at the University of Mary Washington, an adjunct professor at the University of Virginia, and a member of the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton. He lectures around the world on his expertise in the "A-subjects" – art, archeology, astrophysics, atomic physics and Atatürk ... while claiming little knowledge in the "B-subjects" – business, banking, biology ... He is currently the President of the Atatürk Society of America, dedicated to the ideals of the founder of the modern Republic of Turkey, most importantly, the secular governance.
An artist, his works have been exhibited in one-man shows in London and Washington D.C., and his books of lithographs – "Lands of Washington: Impressions Ink" and "Oxford and the English Countryside: Impressions of Ink" – were both published by Eton House in the 1970s, but are no longer in print. Copies of his books of lithographs can be found in the permanent collections of the White House, the Smithsonian Institution and Buckingham Palace.
He frequently serves as a special topics lecturer on board ships of the Crystal Cruise Line and Seabourn Cruises.
Born in Ankara, Turkey in 1940, Atalay is the author of the best selling book, Math and the Mona Lisa: the Art and Science of Leonardo da Vinci, initially published in English by Smithsonian Books in 2004, and subsequently in 13 foreign languages. A more recent book, Leonardo’s Universe: the Renaissance World of Leonardo da Vinci, coauthored with Keith Wamsley, was released by National Geographic Books in late 2008, and immediately listed among Encyclopædia Britannica Blog's "Ten Must-Have Reference Books from 2008." He is also a blog writer for National Geographic Newswatch.
A theoretical nuclear physicist, he is the author of numerous technical articles in physics. He has been a professor of physics for four decades at the University of Mary Washington, an adjunct professor at the University of Virginia, and a member of the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton. He lectures around the world on his expertise in the "A-subjects" – art, archeology, astrophysics, atomic physics and Atatürk ... while claiming little knowledge in the "B-subjects" – business, banking, biology ... He is currently the President of the Atatürk Society of America, dedicated to the ideals of the founder of the modern Republic of Turkey, most importantly, the secular governance.
An artist, his works have been exhibited in one-man shows in London and Washington D.C., and his books of lithographs – "Lands of Washington: Impressions Ink" and "Oxford and the English Countryside: Impressions of Ink" – were both published by Eton House in the 1970s, but are no longer in print. Copies of his books of lithographs can be found in the permanent collections of the White House, the Smithsonian Institution and Buckingham Palace.
He frequently serves as a special topics lecturer on board ships of the Crystal Cruise Line and Seabourn Cruises.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 25, 2020
Leonardo’s Universe: The Renaissance World of Leonardo da Vinci, by Blumenthal Antalya and Keith Walmsley, is a wonderful book covering the life and times of this terrifically gifted individual.
This book is nicely, and logically, divided chronologically into chapters commencing with his early years (b1452-1481) where he was born to a notary and a farmer’s daughter. We read about his early beginnings in Florence, including his first commission and early works such as the “Annunciation”. Then we learn about the early Milan years (1481-1490), where he created more pieces such as the Sforza horse (which is absolutely amazing) and he developed his interest in manned flight and anatomy. The next chapter includes the time he painted the Last Supper and his immersion in the risky endeavour of human dissection - this during his later years in Milan (1491-1499) until he was forced to leave, as the French stormed the city in 1499. He then spent time on the road (1500-1507) where he visited Venice, Rome, Borgia and other places including Milan and eventually returning to Florence – its during this period he painted probably his most famous work, the Mona Lisa. Lastly, we learn about his final years (1508-1519) where he continued to work and develop his ideas on subjects not even conceived by humankind at the time such as flight, science, mathematics, automobiles, weaponry, physics, anatomy to name a few, before his death in 1519.
This is all preceded by an excellent chapter on The Renaissance and how it came about by the fall of Constantinople (Istanbul) to the Ottoman Turks, when Mehmet II entered the walls of the city in 1453. This precipitous event prompted an exodus of many talented artists and thinkers to Florence resulting in the birth of the Renaissance where humanism, intelligent thought, art, architecture - all expressions of science, religion and philosophy commenced.
This book sits at about 287 large glossy pages interspersed by many, many side-notes all wonderfully interrupted by one or two pages of stories of various characters, politics, dramas and the history of the times. We learn everything about Leonardo’s life, the fact he didn’t finish many works was well known, he also wasn’t as prolific a painter as one might believe – instead, he devoted much of his time to other endeavours. Only around 20 paintings survive, but his other works were prolific. This book shows us, in incredible detail, his anatomical sketches, notes, scientific drawings, schematics of inventions – this book is a treat to the eye. It’s actually a slow, heavy read due to the amount of interest each page reveals which inevitably sends the reader diving down numerous wormholes, researching topics often totally unrelated to Leonardo and his times. This read is an absolutely, fascinating journey.
We ‘learn’ how to look at the Mona Lisa – we are taught to traverse our eyes over various aspects of the painting to enhance the smile of the subject. Did Leonardo deliberately draw our eyes to these ‘traps’ to make sure we see this illusion? I believe he did, in fact, I’m convinced. He was too brilliant not to.
Leonardo da Vinci was a truly “Transformative Genius”. He was not one thing: he wasn’t a mathematician, an anatomist, a scientist, an artist, sculptor, physicist or physician – he was all of these, and he arrived there many, many years prior to other Transformative Geniuses. He truly belongs in the company of behemoths like Beethoven, Shakespeare, Newton, Archimedes, Galileo, Michelangelo (they didn’t get on btw) and Einstein. Sure there were geniuses before him – but really, I couldn’t imagine anyone else covering the amount of topics, and many of them were prophetic, as this man did.
Historian Sir Kenneth Clark was quoted as saying Leonardo was ”the most relentlessly curious man in history”. Pope Leo X dismissed him by saying ”Alas, this man will never do anything, because he is already thinking of the end before he has even begun the work”. Perhaps, that was the genius of the man.
5 Enthralling Stars
This book is nicely, and logically, divided chronologically into chapters commencing with his early years (b1452-1481) where he was born to a notary and a farmer’s daughter. We read about his early beginnings in Florence, including his first commission and early works such as the “Annunciation”. Then we learn about the early Milan years (1481-1490), where he created more pieces such as the Sforza horse (which is absolutely amazing) and he developed his interest in manned flight and anatomy. The next chapter includes the time he painted the Last Supper and his immersion in the risky endeavour of human dissection - this during his later years in Milan (1491-1499) until he was forced to leave, as the French stormed the city in 1499. He then spent time on the road (1500-1507) where he visited Venice, Rome, Borgia and other places including Milan and eventually returning to Florence – its during this period he painted probably his most famous work, the Mona Lisa. Lastly, we learn about his final years (1508-1519) where he continued to work and develop his ideas on subjects not even conceived by humankind at the time such as flight, science, mathematics, automobiles, weaponry, physics, anatomy to name a few, before his death in 1519.
This is all preceded by an excellent chapter on The Renaissance and how it came about by the fall of Constantinople (Istanbul) to the Ottoman Turks, when Mehmet II entered the walls of the city in 1453. This precipitous event prompted an exodus of many talented artists and thinkers to Florence resulting in the birth of the Renaissance where humanism, intelligent thought, art, architecture - all expressions of science, religion and philosophy commenced.
This book sits at about 287 large glossy pages interspersed by many, many side-notes all wonderfully interrupted by one or two pages of stories of various characters, politics, dramas and the history of the times. We learn everything about Leonardo’s life, the fact he didn’t finish many works was well known, he also wasn’t as prolific a painter as one might believe – instead, he devoted much of his time to other endeavours. Only around 20 paintings survive, but his other works were prolific. This book shows us, in incredible detail, his anatomical sketches, notes, scientific drawings, schematics of inventions – this book is a treat to the eye. It’s actually a slow, heavy read due to the amount of interest each page reveals which inevitably sends the reader diving down numerous wormholes, researching topics often totally unrelated to Leonardo and his times. This read is an absolutely, fascinating journey.
We ‘learn’ how to look at the Mona Lisa – we are taught to traverse our eyes over various aspects of the painting to enhance the smile of the subject. Did Leonardo deliberately draw our eyes to these ‘traps’ to make sure we see this illusion? I believe he did, in fact, I’m convinced. He was too brilliant not to.
Leonardo da Vinci was a truly “Transformative Genius”. He was not one thing: he wasn’t a mathematician, an anatomist, a scientist, an artist, sculptor, physicist or physician – he was all of these, and he arrived there many, many years prior to other Transformative Geniuses. He truly belongs in the company of behemoths like Beethoven, Shakespeare, Newton, Archimedes, Galileo, Michelangelo (they didn’t get on btw) and Einstein. Sure there were geniuses before him – but really, I couldn’t imagine anyone else covering the amount of topics, and many of them were prophetic, as this man did.
Historian Sir Kenneth Clark was quoted as saying Leonardo was ”the most relentlessly curious man in history”. Pope Leo X dismissed him by saying ”Alas, this man will never do anything, because he is already thinking of the end before he has even begun the work”. Perhaps, that was the genius of the man.
5 Enthralling Stars
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June 3, 2020A bit of a hagiography. Perhaps interpreted outside its cultural context.
May 8, 2012
Words Cannot Describe How Magical And Wonderful This Book Is !! How Amazing And Artistic This Man is ! Once You Start The First Page You Will Be Lost In Paradise In An Imaginary World <3 . I Don't Think There Will Be A Person Like Leonardo To Be Born In This World Ever Again.
June 8, 2009
I decided to read this because it's written by a professor from my undergrad school, and I knew it would be interesting.
April 16, 2015
One of the most comprehensive books I have read on DaVinci and the Renaissance. It was excellent, great pictures and nice layout.
August 5, 2021
When cleaning my room, I picked up this book and wanted to just flip through the pictures.
Well, I read the whole book (my room will always have "room for improvement" anyways..).
His procrastination was frustrating but relatable. I can't believe he sketched things that would be invented centuries later (bike, plane, robot, scuba suit, war equipment etc.).
I never knew how much science and math bled into art; I guess it's good I have two of the three.
Well, I read the whole book (my room will always have "room for improvement" anyways..).
His procrastination was frustrating but relatable. I can't believe he sketched things that would be invented centuries later (bike, plane, robot, scuba suit, war equipment etc.).
I never knew how much science and math bled into art; I guess it's good I have two of the three.
July 26, 2020
Very detailed. I learned a lot about da Vinci, and that he was a lot more than just an artist. He had a mind it will stop in terms of science, anatomy, engineering, physics, and oh yes, painting. He put all of these disciplines into his works of art. Again very detailed, But I was looking for more of a narrative.
May 30, 2024
A great history of DaVinci and his time. The photographs are just tremendous. The applied research makes for an enjoyable easy read.
July 28, 2010
This coffee table-sized book presents in full glossy color the entirety of Leonardo DaVinci's life, work and thinking, while providing parallel social and historical context of Renaissance Italy. True to National Geographic's reputation, the imagery is the real highlight of this bio and not only contains numerous images from Leonardo's surviving notebooks, but his artwork, designs, as well as modern images from relevant locations in Italy.
Author Atalay presents tightly written analyses of some of Leonardo's most important works. He brings to bear the latest technical analyses of Leonardo's extant paintings and drawings which help resolve artistic and historical mysteries - some of which have circulated for hundreds of years. Specifically, we're provided high tech evidence surrounding Leonardo's "Ginerva", where the FBI provided resources to confirm the existence of DaVinci's fingerprints on the dried 500-year old paint. The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. was also able to identify inconsistencies in the two-sided painting which led to the discovery that about 1/3 of the painting was actually missing. Experts were able to digitally blend the missing piece with drawings found among Leonardo's sketchbooks to confirm the missing art. Atalay also present a terrific study of Leonardo's "Virgin of the Rocks", providing a nice comparison between his original version and a second version likely painted by students at his school.
My only wish would be for deeper analyses (textually and visually) in some cases, but understandably, the goal of this book isn't to provide a treatise on each individual Leonardo masterpiece. Naturally the book also details the history behind and artistic critique of his most famous paintings - "The Mona Lisa" and "The Last Supper".
Leonardo's interests and expertise are vast and make for an ever changing study of his disciplines.
While the book is written for adults, the images and analytical sidebars would make for great teaching tools for parents or teachers wanting to introduce DaVinci and the Renaissance.
I highly recommend this bright and illuminating book on one of the most fascinating lives ever lived.
Author Atalay presents tightly written analyses of some of Leonardo's most important works. He brings to bear the latest technical analyses of Leonardo's extant paintings and drawings which help resolve artistic and historical mysteries - some of which have circulated for hundreds of years. Specifically, we're provided high tech evidence surrounding Leonardo's "Ginerva", where the FBI provided resources to confirm the existence of DaVinci's fingerprints on the dried 500-year old paint. The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. was also able to identify inconsistencies in the two-sided painting which led to the discovery that about 1/3 of the painting was actually missing. Experts were able to digitally blend the missing piece with drawings found among Leonardo's sketchbooks to confirm the missing art. Atalay also present a terrific study of Leonardo's "Virgin of the Rocks", providing a nice comparison between his original version and a second version likely painted by students at his school.
My only wish would be for deeper analyses (textually and visually) in some cases, but understandably, the goal of this book isn't to provide a treatise on each individual Leonardo masterpiece. Naturally the book also details the history behind and artistic critique of his most famous paintings - "The Mona Lisa" and "The Last Supper".
Leonardo's interests and expertise are vast and make for an ever changing study of his disciplines.
While the book is written for adults, the images and analytical sidebars would make for great teaching tools for parents or teachers wanting to introduce DaVinci and the Renaissance.
I highly recommend this bright and illuminating book on one of the most fascinating lives ever lived.
August 11, 2011
The author is a professor at my alma mater, and I was fortunate to hear him speak at my last reunion. He's a physicist, an artist, and an art historian, as well as a fascinating person.
Biographies of famous people have always interested me. This one didn't disappoint.
Biographies of famous people have always interested me. This one didn't disappoint.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews