Final answer:
Leonardo da Vinci's drawings express humanistic ideals by blending scientific curiosity with artistic mastery, exemplifying the ideal of the Renaissance man with works like the Vitruvian Man and The Last Supper. His harmonization of realism and spirituality, and his portrayal of humans with ideal beauty and grace illustrate the humanist focus on the dignity and potential of individuals.
Step-by-step explanation:
Leonardo da Vinci's drawings reflect the humanistic ideals of the Renaissance by showcasing the intellectual and creative capacities of the individual and highlighting the importance of naturalistic representation. Leonardo, considered a supreme example of a Renaissance man, used scientific observation and experimentation to create his artworks. His detailed studies of the human body, as exemplified by the iconic Vitruvian Man, demonstrate an ideal blend of art and science, suggesting harmony between the physical and spiritual realms. This balance reflects the humanistic focus on the potential and dignity of the human being.
Moreover, da Vinci's engagement with diverse fields such as engineering, anatomy, and mechanics, evidenced by his numerous notebooks filled with drawings and writings, positions him as an intellectual equal to scholars of his time. His commitment to capturing the essence of the divine through natural beauty and grace in figures, while maintaining a realistic portrayal, indicates a departure from the more spiritualized artwork of the Middle Ages. Da Vinci's approach in artworks like The Last Supper harmonizes realism with spirituality, thereby uniting the real and the ethereal.
Da Vinci's humanist approach to art, supported by patrons like Cosimo de' Medici, signified a shift in societal views towards artists. In conclusion, Leonardo da Vinci's drawings are an expression of humanistic ideals as they embody the philosophical principles of human value, the integration of art and science, and the promotion of individual achievement within the High Renaissance.