Event 2: Leonardo Da Vinci + Gravity

     Leonardo da Vinci continues to captivate us with his multifaceted genius as he delved into the mysteries of the natural world, including the realms of gravity and human perception. In this week’s event, we delved into the intriguing insight that Leonardo accurately estimated the gravitational constant without the aid of advanced mathematics.

Figure 1. Codex Leicester

    One notable concept from da Vinci's studies is the "pyramidal law". This principle reveals the pyramidal nature of the power exerted by the arms of a balance. This observation highlights da Vinci's astute understanding of geometric relationships and the dynamic interplay of forces.


Figure 2. Great Pyramid

    In addition, da Vinci explored the intricacies of centers of gravity. In the Madrid Codex 11, 66r, he explains the experimental determination of the accidental center of gravity. These meticulous observations showcase da Vinci's curiosity and dedication to exploring the mysteries of the natural world. Congruently, his scientific insights also influenced his artistic endeavors. By exploring the science behind light and form, da Vinci sought to bring a heightened sense of realism and depth to his artworks.


Figure 3. Codex Leicester - Gravity

    His rationalization of sight and understanding of perception variables continue to shape how we approach visual art and design. His scientific exploration of gravity and flight likely informed his understanding of perspective and spatial relationships in his art, leading to groundbreaking advancements in artistic representation. Throughout this event, I thought about how his integration of art and science is an inspiration for contemporary artists and scientists, encouraging them to bridge the gap between seemingly disparate disciplines and uncover new dimensions of knowledge.


Sources

  1. California Institute of Technology. “Leonardo da Vinci's Forgotten Gravity Experiments Show He Was Centuries Ahead of His Time.” SciTechDaily, 18 February 2023, https://scitechdaily.com/leonardo-da-vincis-forgotten-gravity-experiments-show-he-was-centuries-ahead-of-his-time/. Accessed 19 May 2023.

  2. Gharib, Morteza, Chris Roh, and Flavio Noca. "leonardo da vinci’s visualization of gravity as a Form of Acceleration." Leonardo 56.1 (2023): 21-27.

  3. Ouellette, Jennifer. “Leonardo noted link between gravity and acceleration before Newton.” Ars Technica, 10 February 2023, https://arstechnica.com/science/2023/02/leonardo-noted-link-between-gravity-and-acceleration-centuries-before-einstein/. Accessed 19 May 2023.


Images

  1. “Leonardo da Vinci on Visualizing the Forces of Nature: Gravity | UCLA Art | Sci Center + Lab.” UCLA Art|Sci Center, 2023, http://artsci.ucla.edu/node/1638. Accessed 19 May 2023.

  2. Pevsner, Jonathan. “Leonardo da Vinci, Neuroscientist.” Scientific American, 1 March 2017, https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/leonardo-da-vinci-neuroscientist/. Accessed 19 May 2023.

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