Key West Lou / ANOTHER OUTSTANDING EVENING OF LEONARDO DA VINCI

Two great TV evenings about Leonardo da Vinci provided by PBS. Last night the second. Titled: Leonardo Da Vinci, “Painter-God.”

I had always considered Leonardo merely a great painter. One of the greatest. He was so much more, however. His mind and talents were into everything: “Leonardo da Vinci designs fanciful flying machines, studies light and shadow, investigates gravity, dissects cadavers and paints the most famous portrait on earth.”

Loved throughout Italy. He was the most courted artist, a “hero” wherever he went.

The “new” I learned last night. Leonardo was born a bastard. His father a man of influence, his mother a chamber maid of sorts. Leonardo the result of a meretricious relationship. Basically ignored by his father who married four times and had a slew of children. Leonardo had to fight his half siblings in court for his share of his father’s estate following the man’s death. Leonardo won.

He did not paint as other artists did. Artists in his day painted portrait style. Still figures. Leonardo brought human body, animal and physical movements into his works. The Last Supper for example shows the 12 Apostles as they actually looked in the 3-4 seconds when Jesus told said one of them would deny him that evening. Each portraying separate and distinct emotions!

He was not an artist alone. He became an expert as to the internal portions of the human body and their workings. He cut up one cadaver after another for years. When he started, the world believed the liver controlled blood, its creation and movement. He said no way. It was the heart. He did one drawing/design after another showing vein, artery and muscle. He said the heart controlled blood flow, etc. He noted the congestion that developed in veins and arteries as one aged which caused death.

He understood flying. Conceptualized how man would one day fly. Understood how a bird’s wings and air caused the bird to fly.

His favorite was mathematics. He was into heavy math big time. For months at a time, disregarding everything else.

Leonardo was more scientist than artist. The scientist him reflected itself in his paintings.

Another great painting was his Battle of Anghiari. A painting I was totally unaware of till last night. The bodies of the men and horses reflecting muscles and movement.

Sometimes a person has to read a book several times to appreciate the work. So it is with the two evenings of da Vinci provided by PBS. The TV presentation has also motivated me to read more of his life. I realize I know so little of him. There is more to da Vinci than The Last Supper.

Some Key West.

Tomorrow night at 6 pm the Monroe County Library will celebrate its 65th birthday. The event will take place in the Palm Garden of the Library Building at 700 Fleming Street. A concert and refreshments will be available. Attendance is free.

One of the hosts will be my son-in-law Corey Malcom who is the Monroe County Librarian.

The way things were in Key West in 1899. A white woman and a black man were convicted in criminal court for having married. The white woman was sentenced to 5 years in prison, the black man 1 year.

In this morning’s Citizens’ Voice: “I know of a drag queen who was verbally assaulted by drunk tourists and told “Trump’s coming for you.”

Another Voice item this morning: “A black resident told to go pick cotton, and a Cuban local born here told to go back where he belongs.”

Both comments made here in Key West. Are things changing?

Seems Key Tides are more frequent. Especially at some Flagler intersections.

Today is Joe Biden’s 82nd birthday. Happy birthday Mr. President!

Actress Bo Derek is 68 today. I remember her in the movie “10” which was made in 1979. She was a knockout! Hot! Everyone was talking about her following the movie’s release.

Remained in last night. Intended to join Steve and Cindy at The Grand. Turns out Don and Chris were there also probably expecting to run into me.

I skipped. My back hurting like hell. My special lumbar brace which was to arrive monday has not yet. This morning at 10 it is neurophysiotherapy again.

Enjoy your day!

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