Leonardo’s impressive painting skills didn’t result from a natural talent, but from his decades-long observation of nature as well as his research and experiments in various fields of study. His intense observation of movements allowed his paintings to be realistic and lively. His study of anatomy contributed to the mysterious facial expressions of his subjects. His knowledge of geometry created the perfect combination of art and science.

Leonardo’s scientific exploration was initially done for the purpose of artistic creation, but later on, his primary motivation was to satisfy his curiosity. He asked questions like “Why is the sky blue?” “What does the tongue of a woodpecker look like?” His questions referred to various fields of study, and he was able to make innovative observations on anatomy, physics, botany, architecture, geology, and military engineering. And all these were reflected in more than 7,200 pages of his manuscripts that have been preserved to this day.