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How to Live Like Leonardo da Vinci

Valuable lessons from history’s smartest human being

Jacob Wilkins
5 min readApr 13, 2021
Saint John the Baptist by Leonardo da Vinci, c. 1513–1516 (Wikimedia Commons — image resized by author)

We’ve all heard of Leonardo da Vinci. This acclaimed artist was central to the European Renaissance and produced some of the world’s most iconic paintings. Yet, Leonardo was more than just a painter. His versatile skills were nothing short of remarkable. And though most of us aren’t blessed with such a high level of intellect, this man’s fascinating life is hugely inspirational.

1. Love the Natural World

Leonardo’s fondness for the natural world can be seen in many of his paintings, and this obsession began during his childhood.

The young Leonardo grew up in Vinci, a hill town in the Italian region of Tuscany. He roamed the countryside and fell in love with his surroundings. For him, the world was an infinite source of wonder, full of potential and excitement.

Bird song, fresh-water springs, rocky slopes, caverns, caves, plants, trees and woodlands were all part of his childhood adventures. He also spent much of his time amongst the fields and learned how to plant, plough, and harvest the land. He even mastered the art of making oil and wine with the help of his father’s youngest brother, Francesco.

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Jacob Wilkins
Jacob Wilkins

Written by Jacob Wilkins

British writer interested in history, culture, and entrepreneurship.

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