Leonardo da Vinci: A Psychosexual Study of an Infantile Reminiscence

"Leonardo da Vinci: A Psychosexual Study of an Infantile Reminiscence" by Sigmund Freud is an early 20th-century study that examines Leonardo da Vinci through psychoanalysis. The book untangles the complexities of Leonardo's personality, bridging his artistic achievements, scientific curiosity, and peculiar sexuality. Freud aims to demystify Leonardo's psychological landscape by dissecting moments from his childhood with interpretations that his personal history molded his art and imagination. The story starts highlighting Leonardo's range of talent and puzzling mix of art and science. Freud explores Leonardo's dramatic backstory—his complicated relationship with his mother, born out of wedlock, along with his intense connections with beauty and ugliness. Freud brings up a strange childhood story of a vulture, interpreting it as a significant symbol related to nurture, sex, and missing father figure. The narrative prepares an exploration into Leonardo's thought patterns, providing glimpses into how his life affected his creations.