LEONARDO DA SQUINTY
Eye disorder helped genius create his masterpieces
LEONARDO da Vinci probably had a squint that helped him create his masterpieces, doctors say.
After studying works it is believed he modelled on his own face, experts at City, University of London, diagnosed the Renaissance genius with strabismus – misaligned eyes.
Perfect eye alignment allows us to see in 3D, but that may inhibit artists working on a flat canvas. Previous studies of self-portraits led to the likes of Rembrandt and Picasso being diagnosed with the condition. There are few known images of da Vinci but he is thought to have used his face as a model for works including Salvator Mundi – his painting of Christ.
Professor Christopher Tyler studied the alignment of the eyes and concluded one of da Vinci’s eyes looked outwards by 10.3 degrees more than it should – not enough to hinder his everyday vision and an asset when judging how an object should look on canvas.