Both Leonardo and Michelangelo are both great successors to the scientific tradition of Florentine painting (starting from the late 1400's to the early 1600's); but also affected by the atmosphere of Neoplatonism, justifying the period of Platonic philosophy in which they grew up around.
Leonardo's strength lies in actual observation of multiple experiences, and has given little action to deducing general laws from his observations. Painting as a science for Leonardo, which involves such a foundation of mathematical perspective, a study of nature itself and depends on various facts; including first all the senses, secondly not to rely wholly on the eye but to use proper judgment by using actual measurements, and thirdly understanding that painting is based on the principles of geometry. His immense interest on science pairs well with nature, which makes his work well known for the enormous time spent focusing on every detail displaying such comfortable landscapes each symbolic figure is pampered within. With such a strong ground work, Leonardo never encourages free play to his imagination, but what originates must have the exact rationalization and justification. Even if the pictorial scene doesn't prevail correctly, it should still appear to the viewer as if it could really exist. Aside from painting, sculpting was another alternative, although Leonardo claims excellent dominance for painting over sculpture. The process of sculpting ultimately cannot use color, ariel perspective, or illustrate transparent bodies, clouds, storms, etc.; which in fact are key factors which involve such a foundation for Leonardos work. Painting is considered to be the king of science, meaning the process must be checked by rational judgement at each individual stage. I find it interesting to discover that Leonardo does listen to the opinions of others about his paintings, ready to hear their comments with an open mind and patience; although keeping in mind that these bystanders will try and blame, or correct his work, and if so not to understand their reasoning for his mistakes.
In one ear and out the other.
Michelangelo on the other hand was prone to a higher dedication involving beauty rather that to scientific truth. He perceives the fulfillment of beauty depended in large part on the knowledge of nature. Early on Michelangelo possesses a strong emotional and physical affection/passion for writing his very own romantic love poems that were conclusively directed towards visible beauty more than spiritual beauty. Scientifically he studied nature throughout the lifespan in his main groundwork. Opposite of Leonardos imagination, Michelangelo believes the means of imagination of the artist attains to a beauty above that of landscape nature. Beauty is the reflection of heavenly eternity in a material world, by rendering what in actual life is a beautiful body; appearing nude, heavy and lumpish, with thick limbs that are not at all elegant and graceful. Nature of the beautiful body. The beginning to an important new life approach for Michelangelo was creating The Last Judgment, which also came from his various writings. This became the dawn of Religious Art. Additionally, Michelangelo would also work with sculpture, but viewing this process in a more enjoyable unique approach rather than Leonardo. He gives a different life to a statue by executing a block of marble or stone, by cutting away from it until it reveals or declares the figural state within it. In other words, all the sculpture has done by carving his statue is discover his idea.
I think we can agree and expose Michelangelo to be a hopeless romantic.?
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