Although the “notion of genius” can be defined as many things in various ways, two of the most influential artists of the Renaissance, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni, are still well recognized as the genius of today's art. Both Leonardo, world famous for his masterpiece "The Last Supper" and "La Gioconda", and Michelangelo, also known for his work "The David Sculpture", share some similarities. Behind their historical works, it is evident that their natural talent, attractive structure and a difference in painting style related to subject preferences played an important role in spreading the popularity and fame of these artists. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Natural talent that includes keen sensitivity is one of the significant factors when it comes to something that has no rules like art. It is evident that Leonardo da Vinci had transcendent talent in art, even from a young age. After his father discovered his talented artwork, at the age of about 15 he was apprenticed to a well-known artist. The fact that he never received formal education beyond basic but was transcended to train in the mechanical arts at Andrea's workshop clearly shows how he already had significant talent, even before receiving special training in the art. It was even claimed that his angel drawn on the panel Andrea was working on was better than his. Additionally, it was stated that he had an estimated IQ of 200 and demonstrated his talent in various fields outside of art, such as mathematician, inventor, and natural science. Among all, natural sciences are another fundamental principle of his life that cannot be ignored, as he implemented a logical approach in solving problems of daily life. His successes in studies outside of art have earned him the nickname “Universal Man,” according to Devoldere. It can perhaps be said that his discoveries in sciences such as neuroanatomy and neurophysiology have played an important role in the modern development of science in history. On the other hand, it seems likely that Michelangelo's talent flourished when he was surrounded by an environment with countless stone quarries. Although his father did not appreciate his desire to become an artist, his talent was soon appreciated by many of Florence's leading patrons and citizens. The fact that he was commissioned to complete the historical works for Pope Julius II, which conclude his free-standing tomb, clearly shows that his talent stood out from others and was unique (Krén and Marx). Similarly to Leonardo, he also had an extremely high IQ, estimated at 177, and this extended his studies to other fields such as politics and philosophy. However, it is clear that they both also enjoyed studying creation outside of art to create their masterpieces, which perhaps can be supported with Michelangelo's quote: "Genius is eternal patience." How a work of art attracts people's attention and attracts the public usually cannot be explained with scientific studies and evidence, since each individual has their own sensitivity. However, it was evident that their masterpieces shared some similarities in structure and design, although it is not yet known whether they implemented this intentionally or not. This is the use of the golden ratio, the divine proportion by another name that helps art structure itself in the “most aesthetically pleasing way,” according to Esaak. Leonardo implemented this relationship in many of his world-famous paintings such as “The Mona Lisa” and “The Last Supper”. The fact that each ofthese paintings being found in the largest museum and church in the world and being exchanged for a huge amount of money shows that people today still see the special value in those paintings. Michelangelo, however, has been claimed to have used the golden ratio also for works such as “The Creation of Adam” and the Sistine Chapel ceiling (Meisner). Although the intention to intentionally use the ratio was not proven, it can be expected that this played a role in the fact that many viewers saw its significant value considering that those masterpieces created by those two geniuses of art have characteristics of the ratio aureo .Despite the similar characteristics in their works that they share discussed above, and the fact that they are both known as geniuses, they certainly have a difference that can be seen from the previous works created by Leonardo and Michelangelo. The first difference concerns their strengths in the art. It is evident that Leonardo passionately drew women in his paintings and left works such as "The Lady with an Ermine", "The Mona Lisa" and "Leda and the Swan" according to Jones. The figures of the woman painted by Leonardo in “Lady with an Ermine” were soft and fascinating, so much so that it even seems that the airbrush technique was used to paint, although it did not exist at the time the painting was completed. On the other hand, Michelangelo is known for works involving men or men as female models, such as “The Sculpture of David,” “The Last Judgement,” and “Leda and the Swan.” Although Michelangelo painted the same painting as Leonardo later, about a decade later, the completed work of art was completely different. Since Michelangelo was better at painting male figures, it is evident that he used male models when painting female figures, which have been called "cross-gender images", according to Garrard (qtd. In Even). It can be said that this made his paintings of women seem more musicalized and consequently more pensive. However, it is evident that his “Sculpture of David” has attracted people for centuries with the extraordinary beauty of his figure representing strength and youth. Although Leonardo and Michelangelo are often placed and classified together as artistic geniuses representing the Italian Renaissance, it is clear that they were two completely different artists who had an almost opposite style in paintings. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper now from our expert writers. Get a Custom Essay The definition of genius might differ from individual to individual and can be overgeneralized. However, the two most influential and remembered artistic geniuses of the Italian Renaissance express strong characters in every work of art they created in their lives. It is evident that their natural talent which covered a wide range of topics other than art, the use of the most attractive relationship structure and their opposite characters made their pieces unique and them the genius of art which was also passed down Today. Their artwork has greatly influenced our modern life and makes our generation curious about who will be recognized as a genius in the future. Works Cited Gary Meisner, “Michelangelo and the Art of the Golden Ratio in Design and Composition”, 01/18/2016, Web. 1/8/2019 “Three traits of the Renaissance arts and four innovations”, 10/15/2019, Web. 8/1/2019, “Activity: golden ratio using the golden ratio”, Science Museum, web. 01/08/2019Louie Andre, “The 13 smartest people in the history of the world”, Online Finance, Web. 1/8/2019“Michelangelo”, HISTORY, 10/18/2010, web. 01/08/2019Emil Krén and Daniel Marx, “Tomb of Pope Julius II”, WEB GALLERY OF ART, Web. 1/8/2019Pevsner J, “Leonardo da Vinci's contributions to neuroscience”, 4/25/2002, Web .. 1/8/2019