Leonardo lecture in Rotunda I

In 1963 President Kennedy was hosting 30 Nobel Laureates in the White House. He opened his remarks with the memorable line, "This is the greatest concentration of creative genius since Thomas Jefferson dined alone." The third President of the United States was arguably the most brilliant of 43 individuals who have occupied the White House during the past 233 years. On October 15 I gave a talk at the University of Virginia, indeed, under the dome of the great Rotunda, designed by Jefferson for the university he founded almost two hundred years ago.

Many Nobel Laureates (especially the scientists among them) are immensely gifted; many are geniuses, as was Mr. Jefferson. At the end of the day, they are all "ordinary geniuses." Once in a very long while, a genius of much higher order comes along, a "transformative genius," who establishes or who redefines an entire field. No one would seriously debate that Shakespeare was the greatest writer and that Newton was the greatest scientist. It might be more reasonable to begin debating about Numbers Two or Three. Among painters, one might debate whether it might Raphael or Rembrandt. Regarding the rankings of Numbers One and Two, they are reserved for Leonardo and Michelangelo (in either order). This is the first segment of a series of mini-lectures I will post on YouTube. This particular segment is from the lecture at UVA. I will also post segments from lectures given at Yale University, at the National Geographic Society's Explorer's Hall, and at NIH. My first book on Leonardo, 'Math and the Mona Lisa,' has now been translated into a dozen languages. Recently, National Geographic Books published the new book, 'Leonardo's Universe,' and the Britannica Blog writer promptly declared it one of "Ten must have books for the year."

By training, I am a scientist-artist, and the product of a classical education. Leonardo — part-time artist, insatiably curious scientist, and passionate inventor — had virtually no education, but left a legacy that may never be rivaled. If you have six minutes and three seconds, I welcome you to watch this mini lecture. Many thanks in advance. Bulent

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[318lrw]

Such an inspirational presentation on a topic so foreign to many. This brings a splendor to the topic a new knowledge to artist and scientist as only Dr. Atalay can.

[jharveypbs]

A wonderful speaker presenting a fascinating topic!

[nelrish24]

waw

[Intersounds]

Thank you for sharing this most interesting lecture with the rest of us mere mortals who never had the privilege to meet you in person. The topic is fascinating of course, but your delivery made it much more so. Thanks again, Bob

[bwjones1002]

Bulent Atalay has a talent for making connections between different intellectual worlds.

[hardyms]

Dr. Atalay was my physics professor at Mary Washington College. He remains as inspirational today as he was then!