During the Renaissance, Leonardo da Vinci was not only a painter but also an engineer, architect, and inventor. His life's work demonstrated an unrelenting quest for creativity and perfection. In addition to his intricate anatomical drawings and designs for flying machines, Da Vinci is renowned for his paintings, including the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper.
Da Vinci always aimed to produce works that were both technically flawless and aesthetically beautiful throughout his career. Even though he was incredibly talented and made revolutionary contributions to many different fields, he frequently felt that his work could have been better. A strong sense of personal accountability and a never-ending quest for excellence are reflected in this sentiment.
Consider da Vinci to be a chef who is constantly trying out new dishes in his kitchen. Although he strives for culinary perfection in every dish he makes, the chef always feels that there is space for improvement, regardless of how well-received or successful they are by others. Every painting and invention da Vinci created felt to him like an incomplete meal, one that could have been cooked for a few more minutes or spiced with one more thing.
His humility, insatiable curiosity, and desire to innovate beyond what others thought was possible are all evident in this view of his work. Da Vinci was unhappy because he felt that he could have done more to push boundaries even further, despite the fact that he was a great man in many areas of life.
Knowing this facet of da Vinci's personality helps us understand why his unmatched contributions to art and science continue to earn him praise today. Regardless of prior achievements, his unwavering pursuit of excellence and the significance of ongoing improvement are timeless lessons embodied by his constant striving for perfection.