Our patron

To Do List (Leonardo da Vinci, c. 1490):

1. [Calculate] the measurement of Milan and Suburbs
2. [Find] a book that treats of Milan and its churches, which is to be had at the
   stationer’s on the way to Cordusio
3. [Discover] the measurement of Corte Vecchio (the courtyard in the duke’s palace).
4. [Discover] the measurement of the castello (the duke’s palace itself)
5. Get the master of arithmetic to show you how to square a triangle.
6. Get Messer Fazio (a professor of medicine and law in Pavia) to show you about
   proportion.
7. Get the Brera Friar (at the Benedictine Monastery to Milan) to show you De
   Ponderibus (a medieval text on mechanics).
8. Ask Benedetto Potinari (A Florentine Merchant) by what means they go on ice in
   Flanders.
9. Draw Milan.
10. Ask Maestro Antonio how mortars are positioned on bastions by day or night.
11. [Examine] the Crossbow of Mastro Giannetto.
12. Find a master of hydraulics and get him to tell you how to repair a lock, canal and mill
    in the Lombard manner.
13. [Ask about] the measurement of the sun promised me by Maestro Giovanni
    Francese.
14. Try to get Vitolone (the medieval author of a text on optics), which is in the Library at
    Pavia.*

At Da Vinci’s High School, we aim high. We want our Students to think, create and inspire others as Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) did.

#thinklikeDaVinci   

#createlikeDaVinci   

#inspirelikeDaVinci

Leonardo da Vinci, photo: public domain

Leonardo da Vinci – patron of our educational institutions

The Italian genius of the Renaissance era is the patron of all our educational institutions. He was an artist, inventor, researcher and designer. He creatively combined the worlds of science and art. He was an insatiable seeker of knowledge, driven by curiosity about the world, fascinated by people.

The legacy of the great creator is still alive and inspires creativity and a deeper
understanding of the world around us. It moves not only artists and scientists, but everyone who is hungry for knowledge and innovation.

Leonardo da Vinci made breakthroughs in many fields of science and art.

What do we owe to his brilliant mind?

• Outstanding paintings: “The Last Supper,” 'Mona Lisa' or 'Lady with an Ermine' (which can be admired at the Princes Czartoryski Museum in Kraków), as well as innovative artistic techniques such as sfumato and chiaroscuro.
• Prototypes of vehicles and machines: bicycle, parachute, helicopter, hang glider, tank, diving equipment, robots, water machines, and more.
• A meticulous study of human anatomy.
• Observation, experiment and reflection as the foundation of scientific research methods.

And many more! The visionary also left behind several thousand pages of notes, which are still a treasure trove of knowledge, sketches, scientific diagrams and written thoughts of the creator.

Lady with an Ermine, photo: public domain

Leonardo da Vinci was also a perfect example of an IB student (and master):

• WAS CURIOUS ABOUT THE WORLD:

Exploring was his true passion! Leonardo da Vinci was extremely inquisitive (see the to do list above), seeking to understand the world through observation, experimentation and constant questioning.

• HAD EXTENSIVE KNOWLEDGE:

Leonardo da Vinci’s interests included various fields of knowledge, including anatomy, engineering, art, architecture or physics. His extensive knowledge and interdisciplinary approach to science fully reflect the tenets of the IB program.

• WAS A THINKER:

Leonardo used critical and creative thinking skills to solve complex problems. The results of his deep thinking are innovative designs, well ahead of their time.

• COMMUNICATED EFFECTIVELY WITH OTHERS:

Although most of da Vinci’s work was created in solitude, the visionary effectively
communicated his ideas and complex concepts through detailed drawings and clear notes. He also collaborated with other scholars and artists of his time.

• WAS GUIDED BY PRINCIPLES:

Leonardo’s quest to learn the truth about the world and man has a strong ethical basis. The artist was characterized by humility and honesty in his scientific and artistic endeavours.

• HAD AN OPEN MIND:

His broad interests and willingness to explore various fields of science and art indicate his openness to new ideas and perspectives.

• WAS CARING:

His detailed studies of human anatomy and close observations of the natural world
demonstrate his deep respect, concern and empathy for all living beings.

• TOOK RISKS:

Leonardo da Vinci was not afraid to go against the grain! He boldly ventured into uncharted territories of knowledge, taking intellectual and creative risks.

• CARED ABOUT THE BALANCE:

His holistic approach to life and learning reflects the importance of maintaining balance in various aspects of personal and intellectual development.

• WAS WILLING TO REFLECT:

Leonardo’s extensive notebooks are filled with the artist’s observations, sketches and thoughts. Da Vinci systematically evaluated his work and monitored his own thought processes, thus embodying the reflective nature of the IB student.

Even a genius needs to rest sometimes “Leonardo on Vacation” – graffiti by Bruno, cl. 6

* source: https://www.openculture.com/2014/12/leonardo-da-vincis-to-do-list-circa-1490-is-much-cooler-than-yours.html