Interview with Leonardo Da Vinci

The Renaissance began in Italy. While it only a affected a small amount of the population, the “rebirth” of classical culture is revered today. The general idea of the renaissance is that in Ancient Greek and Roman times we were enlightened, and then lost the light in the “dark” ages, and then became enlightened again in the rebirth of classical culture. Setting: A stage with comfortable chairs, Leonardo da Vinci sitting in one chair, the host in the other.

Host: Welcome to Talk Renaissance Live, I’m here with Leonardo da Vinci, the very definition of a “Renaissance man”. So tell the audience about yourself Leo. Can I call you Leo?

Leo: Um sure. Well honestly I don’t know why people like me so much, I’m a terrible procrastinator. And while I’ve had a few successful paintings, a lot of my works were more of failed experiments.

Host: That is still better than most of the population. And your scientific journals still have people wondering today. You had ideas, sometimes even working ideas for things that weren’t even conceived for most of the population until this last century. What was it like working for a commission?

Leo: It was ok, once I had plenty of apprentices. Apprentices meant I could spend more time on enquiries of the scientific nature.

Host: So why was the Mona Lisa smiling the way she was?

Leo: Well now that’s something I swore I would never tell.

Host: You’re no fun, and I was wondering. Why didn’t you publish and of the scientific advances you made?

Leo: Well it was a different world back then. I had more respect then most people, but if I’d tried to publish my scientific thoughts then I would have been laughed out of the building. Or killed.

Host: You mentioned having apprentices later in your career, how was it like being one yourself? And who were you an apprentice for?

Leo: Well when I was 14 I apprenticed to the man known as Verrocchio. He taught me many things, both in theoretical and practical fields. Even