Leonardo da Vinci is often remembered for the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper—but he was so much more than a painter. In this episode, we uncover the Renaissance icon’s groundbreaking work in engineering, anatomy, and invention, as well as explore the quieter truths of his personal identity.

We ask a powerful question: What might the world look like if everyone—regardless of gender or sexuality—could live and create as freely as Leonardo did, without fear of judgment?

Join us as we journey through Leonardo’s notebooks, his unconventional relationships, and the brilliance he left behind—not just in paint, but in thought.

THREE KEY TAKE-AWAYS

How Leonardo’s engineering and scientific contributions shaped modern innovations—from anatomy to flight.

Insight into Leonardo’s personal life, including his relationships with Salaì and Melzi, and what modern historians believe about his sexuality.

A broader question of what happens when people are allowed to live and create authentically—without fear of shame or suppression.

Resources & References

Walter Isaacson’s biography of Leonardo da Vinci: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Leonardo-da-Vinci/Walter-Isaacson/9781501139154

Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks (Codex Atlanticus): https://www.leonardodigitale.com

Museum of Science, Leonardo DaVinci

Leonardo da Vinci’s mother was a slave, according to new research

Da Vinci's mother was an enslaved teenager trafficked to Italy, new documents suggest

Leonardo’s letter to Ludovico Sforza

10 of Leonardo da Vinci’s Most Important Inventions

Leonardo daVinci – by Walter Isaacson

The Victoria and Albert Museum – Leonardo daVinci’s Codices

Explore more on our website: mathsciencehistory.com To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h

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Leonardo da Vinci: The Renaissance Genius Unmasked 29:03 Share

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Leonardo da Vinci: The Renaissance Genius Unmasked