Leonardo Da Vinci: Cats Drawings and 6 Quotes

Leonardo Da Vinci: What the Genius Found in Cats

Leonardo Da Vinci – Leonard from Vinci was an Italian polymath, vast areas of interests let him experiment and left actual works in the invention, science, architecture, music, sculpting… to name a few. Most of all, the painting might have been a very basic tool for him to express his ideas on papers. His curiosity and an inquiring mind never ceased and this Universal Genius found some animal the supreme of all… Cats.

Interests in Animals

Leonardo kept notes and drawings of his studies, ideas, and inventions. There are many written manuscripts of his.

Among these, cats drawings attract the eyes. It is amusing to look at both the moment of pounce and sleeping cats with relaxing rounded back.

Obviously, Leonardo wanted to study animal movements and you can feel his delight of catching cat’s movement.

Let our eyes enjoy his drawings and immerse ourselves with his methodology by his quotes.

The Supreme Creature

The smallest feline is a masterpiece.

Leonardo found furry friends, especially the small one’s masterpiece.

We find cuteness in small thing in general. Human babies, small flowers, small animals, miniature anything…

However, no one or nothing can compete with the smallest feline. They have something mystical in their eyes.

The Most Powerful Tools in Universe

The painter has the Universe in his mind and hands.

What can come out if we had an imaginative mind and skillful hands?

Just imagine what new things would be born out of our hands is truly exciting.

It can be some drawing if you are a painter, some product if you are a designer, delicious meal if you are a cool, heartfelt poem if you are a poet… New dance, new music, a new way of doing things…

It may be some small things like you change the opposite way you usually take. You may be able to see the landscape you have never seen before.

Joy of Knowing

The noblest pleasure is the joy of understanding.

You can feel his yearning for knowledge from his quote. Like the river never gets stale, frequently used mind for learning keeps its edge.

Value of Your Time

Make your work to be in keeping with your purpose

Leonard pointed out the importance of unity of work and purpose.

Maybe you have to change your job to pursue your purpose, maybe you can find meaning in your current job in order to fulfill your purpose once you change your perspective.

Either way, he suggests us to use our time for anything we value, our purpose in life.

In his case, he never stopped drawing and trying to understand the architecture of everything.

To Love and To Hate

The acquisition of knowledge is always of use to the intellect, because it may thus drive out useless things and retain the good. For nothing can be loved or hated unless it is first known.

For Leonardo, total understanding of the object has to come first before he starts to love or hate. Without learning the object, there is no love nor hatred.

Universal Principles

Principles for the Development of a Complete Mind: Study the science of art. Study the art of science. Develop your senses- especially learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.

Leonardo also emphasis on the importance of mastery of oneself. Self-discipline, you may be able to say.

In other words, if you want to conquer the world, conquer yourself first. There is no other way around.

Reference

Leonardo da Vinci Paintings, Drawings, Quotes, Biography (LeonardoDaVinci.net)
Leonardo da Vinci > Quotes (goodreads)

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Also published on Medium.