Study of a Human Skull, Late 15th or Early 16th CenturyBy Leonardo da Vinci

Italian Renaissance Master Leonardo da Vinci was an artistic genius who made vast contributions to mathematics, biology, anatomy, physics, engineering and architecture. The archetypical “Renaissance Man,” who possessed infinite curiosity and creativity, da Vinci (1452 - 1519) is considered to be the most intellectually diverse person in history. Conducting scientific studies of light and shadow, he discovered the three dimensions that imparted his work with their strikingly lifelike quality, and he also pioneered techniques for conveying atmosphere and depth. His insights into human anatomy and the effects of age and emotion were profoundly reflected in his paintings.