Leonardo da Vnici's Motto : Ostinato Rigore

Hello, this is the 169th Heuton Letter. As I was contemplating this week’s topic and reflecting on previous letters, I realized that the recent few have generally been comforting. So, this time, I’d like to tackle a slightly tougher subject. Please prepare yourself for some introspection as you read.

The Renaissance Man

When people talk about the Renaissance era, Leonardo da Vinci is likely the first name that comes to mind. As you know, he left remarkable achievements in numerous fields such as art, architecture, science, mathematics, engineering, anatomy, and geology. Truly an extraordinary individual.

Because of his vast contributions, Leonardo da Vinci is often considered the epitome of a "Renaissance man." A Renaissance man is someone with expertise across multiple disciplines. Who are the modern-day Renaissance men?

Leonardo da Vinci exhibited genius in nearly every area imaginable, and his legacy laid the foundation for many of the technologies and arts we enjoy today.

However, if we focus solely on the results Leonardo left behind, we might dismiss him as merely a "genius of the century." But he was also a great individual in terms of his approach to work, which was just as remarkable as his genius. This can be glimpsed through the phrase "Ostinato Rigore," which frequently appears in his journals starting from his twenties.

Ostinato Rigore

The Italian phrase "Ostinato Rigore" can be translated to "relentless rigor" in English. Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

1. Ostinato: This means "stubborn," "persistent," or "continuous." In music, it refers to a technique where the same musical pattern is repeated.
2. Rigore: This translates to "strictness," "accuracy," or "precision." It is often used in academic or scientific contexts to denote thorough and precise methodologies.

Combined, these two words convey the meaning of "relentless rigor" or "persistent precision." Leonardo da Vinci adopted this concept as his personal motto, and his numerous achievements demonstrate how diligently he pursued strictness.

For example, he spent decades studying anatomy to accurately depict details of the human body, such as hands, faces, and muscles, in his artwork. While anatomical studies were typically conducted for medical purposes at the time, it was uncommon for artists to practice them. However, to enhance his artistic precision, da Vinci conducted dissections himself. Through this, he gained an accurate understanding of the structure of muscles, bones, and tendons, which he then incorporated into his drawings.

Additionally, he studied optics to portray the effects of light and shadow. He meticulously analyzed how light penetrates the skin and affects the underlying blood vessels, muscles, and fat layers.

All of this was done to master just one aspect(?) of his art.

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One of the most famous works born from his high standards and relentless research is the Mona Lisa.

Leonardo da Vinci wanted to accurately represent his studies in his paintings. However, the existing art techniques of his time were insufficient for this purpose. So, he developed a new technique himself.

This technique is called sfumato, which involves layering numerous glazes to create soft, blurred edges, allowing for subtle and natural shading. Much like smoke gradually dissipating in the air (which is the actual etymology!), it subtly changes colors to make the boundaries between different hues indistinct.

Using this method, he depicted how light falls on the skin and where shadows form. Through extensive observation, Leonardo realized that a person's expression is greatly influenced by the edges of the mouth and eyes. By allowing the edges of Mona Lisa’s eyes and mouth to fade into soft shadows, he intentionally created an ambiguous expression. Thanks to this technique, the Mona Lisa continues to be celebrated as a masterpiece that feels like a living, enigmatic figure with real depth.

In striving for such high artistic perfection, Leonardo da Vinci not only studied anatomy and optics over many years but also developed entirely new art techniques. Of course, his relentless rigor wasn’t limited to art; he left behind countless legacies across various other fields through his unwavering dedication.

Conclusion

Leonardo da Vinci’s "Ostinato Rigore" can be aptly described as a "craftsman’s spirit." He consistently upheld very high standards in his work, approached his tasks meticulously, and maintained a continual desire to learn. While we may not possess Leonardo’s genius, adopting his attitude could greatly benefit our own lives and work.

See you next week.