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Did Leonardo da Vinci say this quote about principles for the development of a complete mind?

Skeptics Asked on October 26, 2021

I have read on many sites online, like Reddit and Goodreads, the following quote supposedly from da Vinci’s notebooks:

“Principles for the Development of a Complete Mind: Study the science
of art. Study the art of science. Develop your senses- especially
learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything
else.”

― Leonardo da Vinci

And I have even tried to find sources for the original Italian text but was a bit limited to my knowledge of Italian. However, it does seem to be quoted in documents like this one from a museum dedicated to him: https://www.leonardoagradisca.it/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/catalogo_mddleonardo_en.pdf

"Per sviluppare una mente completa studia la scienza dell’arte, studia
l’arte della scienza. Sviluppa i tuoi sensi, impara soprattutto a
vedere. Comprendi che tutto è connesso."

Leonardo Da Vinci

But it really seems unclear where this quote comes from even though it is attributed to da Vinci. Are there any reliable references in Italian that can be used to verify this attribution?

One Answer

The oldest source I see for this is the 1989 book Millennium: Towards Tomorrow's Society at page 223, with no reference given.

Older, more-credible, references say that da Vinci used the Latin phrase "saper vedere", supporting the "learn how to see" portion of the quote. For example the 1951 book Leonardo Da Vinci, an Exhibition of His Scientific Achievements says:

However , while this transformation from art to science was taking place , Leonardo did not abandon his artistic activity but merely put it to work undiminished for the benefit of his new interest. If in the beginning science was the handmaiden of art, the roles are now reversed and art becomes the handmaiden of science. Leonardo goes even further: according to him it is logical for the painter to turn scientist, for his knowledge as well as his ability to represent things is based on vision— as he calls it, "saper vedere" (to know how to see)

Answered by DavePhD on October 26, 2021

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