Leonardo da Vinci: Kind of a Jerk
Here, have six quotes from Vasari about Leonardo da Vinci.
Vol. I, p. 627: And among these models and designs, there was one by which he often demonstrated to many ingenious citizens, who were then governing Florence, how he proposed to raise the Temple of S. Giovanni in Florence, and place steps under it, without damaging the building; and with such strong reasons did he urge this, that it appeared possible, although each man, after he had departed, would recognize for himself the impossibility of so vast an undertaking.
p. 634: [Speaking of the parts of anatomy he illustrated in a medical book:] [B]eside them, part by part, he wrote in letters of an ill-shaped character, which he made with his left hand, backwards; and whoever is not practised in reading them cannot understand them, since they are not to be read save with a mirror.
p. 635: He returned to Florence, where he found that the Servite Friars had entrusted to Filippino [Lippi] the painting of the panel for the high-altar of the Nunziata; whereupon Leonardo said that he would willingly have done such a work. Filippino, having heard this, like the amiable fellow that he was, retired from the undertaking; and the friars, to the end that Leonardo might paint it, took him into their house, meeting the expenses both of himself and of all his household; and thus he kept them in expectation for a long time, but never began anything. In the end, he made a cartoon ... and abandoned the work for the friars, who restored it to Filippino; but he, also, failed to finish it, having been overtaken by death. [Serves 'em right, falling for the da Vinci hype.]
p. 637: It is said that, going to the bank for the allowance that he used to draw every month from Piero Soderini [the leader of the Florentine Republic], the cashier wanted to give him certain paper-packets of pence; but he would not take them, saying in answer, "I am no penny-painter."
p. 637: On the back of a most bizarre lizard ... he fixed, with a mixture of quicksilver, wings composed of scales stripped from other lizards, which, as it walked, quivered with the motion; and having given it eyes, horns, and beard, taming it, and keeping it in a box, he made all his friends, to whom he showed it, fly for fear. He used often to have the guts of a wether completely freed of their fat and cleaned ... and having placed a pair of blacksmith’s bellows in another room, he fixed to them one end of these, and, blowing into them, filled the room, which was very large so that whoever was in it was obliged to retreat into a corner ...
p. 639: With the splendour of his aspect, which was very beautiful, he made serene every broken spirit: and with his words he turned yea, or nay, every obdurate intention. By his physical force he could restrain any outburst of rage: and with his right hand he twisted the iron ring of a door-bell, or a horse-shoe, as if it were lead. [You see to what extent Leo-mania can lead some people??]
I kind of don't get the fascination with this guy. Yes, the anatomical pictures and sketches of helicopters and tanks are all very cool, but his actual finished output is pretty scanty. The Mona Lisa's appeal also defies my understanding. Personally, I much prefer Lady with an Ermine. In fact, I'd say that's really his only painting that I genuinely like.
Vol. I, p. 627: And among these models and designs, there was one by which he often demonstrated to many ingenious citizens, who were then governing Florence, how he proposed to raise the Temple of S. Giovanni in Florence, and place steps under it, without damaging the building; and with such strong reasons did he urge this, that it appeared possible, although each man, after he had departed, would recognize for himself the impossibility of so vast an undertaking.
p. 634: [Speaking of the parts of anatomy he illustrated in a medical book:] [B]eside them, part by part, he wrote in letters of an ill-shaped character, which he made with his left hand, backwards; and whoever is not practised in reading them cannot understand them, since they are not to be read save with a mirror.
p. 635: He returned to Florence, where he found that the Servite Friars had entrusted to Filippino [Lippi] the painting of the panel for the high-altar of the Nunziata; whereupon Leonardo said that he would willingly have done such a work. Filippino, having heard this, like the amiable fellow that he was, retired from the undertaking; and the friars, to the end that Leonardo might paint it, took him into their house, meeting the expenses both of himself and of all his household; and thus he kept them in expectation for a long time, but never began anything. In the end, he made a cartoon ... and abandoned the work for the friars, who restored it to Filippino; but he, also, failed to finish it, having been overtaken by death. [Serves 'em right, falling for the da Vinci hype.]
p. 637: It is said that, going to the bank for the allowance that he used to draw every month from Piero Soderini [the leader of the Florentine Republic], the cashier wanted to give him certain paper-packets of pence; but he would not take them, saying in answer, "I am no penny-painter."
p. 637: On the back of a most bizarre lizard ... he fixed, with a mixture of quicksilver, wings composed of scales stripped from other lizards, which, as it walked, quivered with the motion; and having given it eyes, horns, and beard, taming it, and keeping it in a box, he made all his friends, to whom he showed it, fly for fear. He used often to have the guts of a wether completely freed of their fat and cleaned ... and having placed a pair of blacksmith’s bellows in another room, he fixed to them one end of these, and, blowing into them, filled the room, which was very large so that whoever was in it was obliged to retreat into a corner ...
p. 639: With the splendour of his aspect, which was very beautiful, he made serene every broken spirit: and with his words he turned yea, or nay, every obdurate intention. By his physical force he could restrain any outburst of rage: and with his right hand he twisted the iron ring of a door-bell, or a horse-shoe, as if it were lead. [You see to what extent Leo-mania can lead some people??]
I kind of don't get the fascination with this guy. Yes, the anatomical pictures and sketches of helicopters and tanks are all very cool, but his actual finished output is pretty scanty. The Mona Lisa's appeal also defies my understanding. Personally, I much prefer Lady with an Ermine. In fact, I'd say that's really his only painting that I genuinely like.