Walter Isaacsons book Leonardo da Vinci accuracy
I respect Walters work, but in his 2017 book Leonardo da Vinci, the certainty regarding his sexuality feels like modern projection rather than historical fact. The specific evidence often cited, the Saltarelli affair, was an anonymous accusation that was dismissed, and no letters or diaries confirm his orientation.
I mention this not to judge any community, but because accuracy matters. As a neurodivergent person who has been single for years, I was frequently assumed to be gay in school simply because I was ‘different’ and solitary. I feel we are applying that same flawed logic to Leonardo in tgat book. We shouldn't confuse social uniqueness with sexuality or fill historical gaps with assumptions. Any opinions?
Posted Dec 1, 2025, 7:01 PM UTC