【明報專訊】To those who have read The Da Vinci Code (《達文西密碼》), Leonardo da Vinci was not just a painter but also a brilliant mathematician. The Vitruvian Man (also known as The Proportions of Man), one of da Vinci's masterpieces, shows the ideal human geometry described by ancient Romans. It evidences da Vinci's love for proportion and his eagerness to relate man to nature. Da Vinci's talents manifest themselves not only in his works of art but also in his marvellous inventions. At a recent Hong Kong Science Museum exhibition, da Vinci's ingenious creativity in war machines, flying machines, hydraulic and mechanical devices is revealed. One his most astonishing works is his conceptualisation of what is akin to a modern helicopter.

Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), born in Italy, is considered one of the greatest painters of all time. His masterpieces Mona Lisa and The Last Supper and many others are admired worldwide though they were created several centuries ago. Despite his fame, little is known or documented about his life. Therefore, rumours abound.