A new exhibit in Milan, Italy, shows the astonishing breadth of da Vinci’s genius – and renders him more human
Amo-as, diligo-is per amare. Audio-as per odire. Transcribing these simple conjugations, the middle-aged Leonardo da Vinci struggled to learn Latin, aspiring to read classical treatises on optics and mechanics. At the time, he was also trying to master algebra, and to improve his employment prospects by studying a book of letter-writing tips.
While admirable, these efforts hardly fit Leonardo’s other-worldly reputation, most memorably expressed by the Renaissance biographer Georgio Vasari 31 years after Leonardo’s death in 1519. “He has been…
