Final answer:
Leonardo Mercado's studies focused on Renaissance art, particularly the use of perspective, the study of human anatomy, and religious symbolism. He was part of the Humanist tradition that integrated art with science, and like his forebearers such as Brunelleschi, Leonardo da Vinci furthered this integration through techniques like linear perspective and anatomical accuracy in art.
Step-by-step explanation:
Leonardo Mercado's study focused primarily on Renaissance art, encompassing numerous fields including the study of human anatomy, the usage of perspective in paintings, and the symbolism in religious art. Following the Renaissance tradition, Leonardo was known as a polymath who combined scientific inquiry with artistic practice to enrich the realism and emotive power of his works. He engaged deeply with anatomy to inform the accurate depiction of the human form and devised techniques in perspective to render three-dimensional spaces on two-dimensional surfaces.
As a contemporary example, Filippo Brunelleschi, an architect, and engineer from the early Renaissance, significantly influenced art with his development of linear perspective, which became foundational for other artists, including Leonardo da Vinci. These artists also utilized foreshortening to enhance the impression of depth and volume in their works, with Michelangelo's David being a notable example of effective use of this technique.
Thus, Leonardo's comprehensive approach not only revolutionized the making of art but also reflected a larger trend among Renaissance artists who viewed their craft as an intellectual pursuit informed by empirical observation and artistic innovation.