Leonardo: the genius in Milan

The last date on one of Leonardo’s manuscripts is 24 June 1518 CE, written in the Arundel Codex on paper 245, currently held at the British Library in London. Caught up in geometry calculations, his writings are interrupted by an “etc. because the soup is getting cold!”. It is a rare annotation of Leonardo’s daily life, rendering the character’s human dimension.

To Francesco Melzi, the executor of his will, he left various books, manuscripts and instruments, as well as a collection of drawings. Moreover, to the servant De Vilanis and Salaì half each a garden outside of Milan and to his Florentine half-brothers his inheritance in the Tuscan city.

After writing his testament, Leonardo died a few days later in France, on 2 May 1519, at the manor of Clos-Lucé in Amboise. He was 67 years old.

He left to the world a heritage rich in genius and creativity, part of which we are fortunately still able to admire today.

Leonardo’s genius not only gives us a sense of wonder and admiration but also can teach us a lot. Perhaps, at the basis of Leonardo’s creativity and genius lies precisely his desire to discover, learn, to know. This mentality of constant exploration has the potential to push new limits, foster new passions and stimulate new ideas. By being more aware, one can appreciate the smallest detail, just like Leonardo. This hunger for awe and curiosity is the driving force behind development. Only through our understanding of his works and the exploration of his mind can we truly pass on and keep his genius alive.

Amidst the Milanese industrialisation, futuristic machinery and city traffic, we conclude by wondering about Leonardo’s reaction to seeing all of this, trying to imagine his point of view about a world that seems to be moving so fast and so relentlessly.