Math and the Mona Lisa: The Art and Science of Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo was one of history's true geniuses, equally brilliant as an artist, scientist, and mathematician. This book picks up where The Da Vinci Code left off, illuminating Leonardo's life and work to uncover connections previously known only to scholars. Following Leonardo's own model, Atalay searches for the internal dynamics of art and science, revealing their deep unity. He provides an overview of the development of science from the dawn of civilization to today's quantum mechanics. From this base, Atalay offers a view into Leonardo's restless intellect and modus operandi, allowing us to see the source of his ideas and to appreciate his art from a new perspective. Nobel Prize winning physicist William D. Phillips writes of the author, "Atalay is indeed a modern renaissance man, and he invites us to tap the power of synthesis that is Leonardo's model."--From publisher description.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member Meggo

Deeply rooted in mathematical principles - almost painfully so - this book really appeals only to people who love math and stories about math. For the math-illiterate, this book was a painfully slow read, and I must confess that I never really got into the book. A great premise, done in such a

heavy way that it may be inaccessible to many people, which is a shame.

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LibraryThing member Razinha

Wonderful illustration of the science and art weave that is found in every da Vinci painting, drawing and more.

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