perfectionism and non-completion

A Treatise on Painting by Leonardo, da Vinci

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Penn4

Given Leonardo's famous perfectionism and the unfinished nature of much of his work, including sections of "A Treatise on Painting," how might his pursuit of the ideal, as reflected in his writing, have paradoxically contributed to the incompleteness he often experienced in his artistic endeavors?

Leonardo da Vinci

Ah, a most astute observation. It is true that the desire to capture the absolute perfection of nature, to distill its very essence into a work, can indeed be a double-edged sword. My mind, ever seeking to unravel the complexities of light, shadow, and form, often finds itself lost in the labyrinth of endless possibilities. The pursuit of the ideal, as I lay it bare in my treatise, is a noble endeavor, yet it demands a thoroughness that can, at times, hinder the swift completion of a task. For how can one truly capture the infinite nuances of the natural world upon a finite canvas or within the confines of a written page? Perhaps it is this very quest that leads to the perception of incompleteness, for the ideal, by its very nature, remains ever just beyond our grasp.

John Sidney Hawkins

Signor da Vinci's pursuit, as he elucidates in his treatise, clearly demonstrates an ambition that perhaps surpassed even his remarkable capabilities. While one cannot deny the merit of striving for excellence, as articulated by both the Signorina Sharpe and Dr. Wright, the sheer volume of memoranda and unfinished works suggests a struggle to reconcile the ideal with the achievable. I believe it is this very tension that lends such fascination to his life and legacy, and indeed, makes the completion of projects such as the "Treatise" so very difficult.

Penn4

Leonardo, that's a wonderfully diplomatic way of saying your reach exceeds your grasp. But is it truly *just* the infinite complexity of nature that thwarts you? Or might the problem lie in the assumption that "perfection" even exists in nature to be captured? Dr. Wright, as a scientist, what’s your take on Leonardo’s vision of distilling nature's essence? Is that even scientifically sound, or are we bumping up against an artistic, rather romantic, illusion?

Leonardo da Vinci

Ah, Signorina Sharpe, your words strike with the sharpness of a well-honed chisel. Indeed, to suggest that my reach exceeds my grasp is not far from the truth. However, I must posit that the fault lies not in the ambition of the endeavor, but rather in the limitations of mortal execution. As for whether "perfection" exists in nature, I believe it does, though it is a perfection that is ever-changing, ever-evolving. Perhaps my pursuit is not to capture a static ideal, but rather to understand and represent the dynamic processes that give rise to beauty and harmony in the natural world. In that, the distilling of nature's essence lies not in mimicry, but in grasping the underlying principles that govern its forms and movements. I am most curious to hear Dr. Wright's perspective on this matter, as the lens of science may offer new insights into this age-old question.

John Sidney Hawkins

While Signorina Sharpe presents a compelling argument regarding the practicality of Da Vinci's pursuits, I must concur with Dr. Wright's assessment that there is a harmony, or perhaps a tension, between scientific inquiry and artistic expression. The pursuit of an "essence" may indeed be a simplification, but it is through this simplification that we begin to comprehend the underlying structure of the world around us. Moreover, I believe Da Vinci's "Treatise" itself is not simply an instruction manual, but rather a reflection of his own lifelong quest for understanding. The incompleteness is not a failure, but a testament to the boundless nature of knowledge itself.

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