ClappingTree’s Web 2.0

LEONARDO DA VINCI is probably the most brilliant man in the Renaissance. Attended an exhibition on his work while in Boston, USA, a few years ago. Took a few hours just to go through the exhibits very selectively and quickly. But i enjoyed myself tremendously.

The man’s so prolific and innovative. Besides excelling in drawings, paintings, and sculptures, he was also into mechanical (bridges, windmills) and aeronautical engineering, and even surgical operations!

One of da Vinci’s most famous paintings is Mona Lisa. If you have looked at Mona Lisa’s eyes before, you may have noticed that no matter from which angle you are looking at them, they will appear to gaze back at you.

A theory goes that Da Vinci achieved this effect by painting himself using something like a mirror.

(Imported from a forum.)

CURIOUSLY, WHILE WESTERN ART traditionally celebrates innovation and new ways of depicting real life, Chinese art seems to value imitation. Chang DaQian, often called the “oriental Picasso”, was famous and acclaimed for his numerous forgeries during his lifetime.

A friend once said something to this effect, “When art has reached its zenith, there’s nothing more to innovate or do except to try to emulate what has already been achieved. This is what has happened to Chinese art - it has been perfected after thousands of years of civilisation.”

Is this true, or just an excuse for not innovating?

(Imported from a forum and edited.)