Design for a parabolic compass 1500

This is Leonardo da Vinci’s "Design for a Parabolic Compass," a drawing from the late 15th or early 16th century. Da Vinci lived in a time when humanist ideals propelled artists and intellectuals to explore the full range of human potential. As a figure who was also illegitimate and likely gay, Da Vinci was pushed to the margins of society. Perhaps this marginalization encouraged his relentless pursuit of knowledge, driven by curiosity and a desire to understand the world through empirical observation and reason. This design reflects Da Vinci's intersectional approach to knowledge, blending art and science. It speaks to his deep curiosity about the natural world, seeking to uncover its underlying principles and express them through art and invention. Consider it an echo of his life experiences, a blend of the personal and the universal. It is a testament to the power of art and science to expand our understanding of what it means to be human.