Becoming Leonardo : an exploded view of the life of Leonardo da Vinci
(Book)

Includes bibliographical references (pages 271-279) and index.

"While Leonardo Da Vinci is one of the most discussed artists of all time, it's shocking how little is actually known about him -- at least, according to most of his biographies. Why did he leave so many projects uncompleted? Why did a seeming peace-lover volunteer to create war machines for the Borgias? Why did he always take the Mona Lisa with him, whereever he went? Didn't he have any friends? Was he really at war with Michaelangelo? Was he gay? And why did he flee to France seemingly, to die? In fact much is known about Leonardo, but modern scholars and biographers have routinely avoided making assumptions based on that evidence, either out of academic caution or the impulse to be p.c. And yet evidence abounds for thoughtful speculation. Enter passionate Da Vinci fan Mike Lankford, who has written the first biography openly and thoroughly discussing that available evidence and what it might indicate -- often in rather strong terms. What's more, Lankford presents DaVinci's life as the exciting narrative it seems to have actually been -- fleeing from one sanctuary to the next, somehow surviving his time in war zones beside his freind Machiavelli, struggling to make art his way or no way at all ... and often paying dearly for those decisions. It is, in the end, a thrilling and fascinating journey into the life of a ferociously dedicated loner, whose artwork in one way or another represents his noble rebellion, providing inspiration that is, quite apparently, timeless."--Publisher's description.