Stephen J. Campbell's "Leonardo da Vinci: An Untraceable Life" delves into the myths surrounding Leonardo da Vinci, framing his work as an anti-biography. With the backdrop of an overwhelming number of publications released for the 500th anniversary of Leonardo's death, Campbell highlights the enduring fascination yet incomplete understanding of his life. He notes that despite the survival of around 7,000 sheets of notes, Leonardo left little personal correspondence, allowing modern interpreters to fill gaps with speculative theories that often misrepresent his legacy as a solitary genius, ultimately creating mythologized versions of his life.
Campbell emphasizes that the myth of Leonardo as a solitary genius is largely a creation of modern interpretations, filled with speculative theories and projections.
The fragmentary nature of Leonardo's writings has led to speculation, resulting in a semi-fictive narrative that diverges from the historical realities of his life.
Instead of traditional biography, Campbell's work serves as an anti-biography, focusing on debunking myths and reassessing factual knowledge about Leonardo.
With only a few of his personal letters and no extensive correspondence, Leonardo's true self remains largely concealed, despite his prolific output.
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