Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci is the foremost figure of the Italian High Renaissance, and while he is mostly known for his painting, he embodied the true nature of the “Renaissance Man,” embarking on intellectual pursuits of science, technology, music, math, architecture, cartography, geology, astronomy—and is even seen as a pioneer of paleontology. Da Vinci is venerated throughout the West for his extreme naturalism and remarkable ability to render the human figure with accuracy, in correspondence with his own anatomical research. He is notorious for his portrayals of biblical figures and scenes, but he also painted secular commissions and portraits. Since finding acclaim and fame during his lifetime, da Vinci has unwaveringly remained one of—if not the—most recognized names in art history.