Leonardo da Vinci
(1452-1519)
Jack Kamen Artwork
Leonardo da Vinci was an Italian painter, sculptor, architect and engineer. He made major contributions to art with works including the Last Supper and the Mona Lisa. A prolific inventor and scientist, he conceptualized ideas for a helicopter, a tank, concentrated solar power and a calculator. He explored many diverse subject areas including anatomy, botany, mathematics, geology, hydrology and flight.
Scientist and Artist
Da Vinci did not see a divide between science and art and believed that studying science made him a better artist. He approached scientific inquiry methodically using close observation, repeated testing, precise illustration and explanatory notes. The volume and variety of his work led him to be regarded as a genius.
Explore Additional Portraits in the Collection
Thomas Edison
Isaac Newton
Charles Proteus Steinmetz
These portraits were commissioned by Dean Kamen for the SEE Science Center. The artist is Jack Kamen (1920-2008), an American graphic artist and Dean’s father. The series was created to inspire children through the stories of scientists and engineers whose work changed the world. While many of the pieces represent men, the duo worked hard to identify female scientists. Had Jack not passed, their goal was to continue to increase representation within the collection. The original artwork is on display at the SEE Science Center in the Jack Kamen Portrait Gallery.