Leonardo da Vinci and A Memory of His Childhood, by Sigmund Freud

Description

A Pelican Book paperback, published in 1963, Leonardo da Vinci and A Memory of His Childhood, by Sigmund Freud, was translated by Alan Tyson with an introduction by Brian Farrell.

The book is aged (it’s 60 years old) but is readable and in good condition.

About This Book

“Leonardo da Vinci and A Memory of His Childhood” is a fascinating and insightful book written by the renowned psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud. Originally published in 1910, the book explores the life and work of the iconic artist and inventor Leonardo da Vinci through the lens of psychoanalysis.

The book is divided into two parts. The first part focuses on Leonardo’s life and career, tracing his early years in Florence, his apprenticeship with the artist Verrocchio, and his later work in Milan and Rome. Freud explores the significance of Leonardo’s artistic and scientific achievements, arguing that they reflect his deep-seated psychological and sexual desires.

The second part of the book is more autobiographical in nature, as Freud reflects on his own childhood memories and how they relate to his understanding of Leonardo’s psyche. He describes a vivid childhood memory in which he witnessed a long train of horses and carriages passing through his town, and explores the ways in which this memory has shaped his own psychological development.

Throughout the book, Freud draws upon his extensive knowledge of psychoanalysis to offer a unique and insightful perspective on Leonardo’s life and work. He argues that Leonardo’s artistic and scientific pursuits were driven by a complex set of psychological impulses, including his desire for love and sexual intimacy with other men, his fear of castration, and his longing for a nurturing maternal figure.

Freud’s analysis is both insightful and controversial, and has been the subject of much debate among scholars and critics. Some have criticized his approach for being too reductionist, reducing Leonardo’s genius to a set of psychological impulses and desires. Others have praised the book for its innovative approach to biography and for its exploration of the ways in which psychological and emotional factors can shape an artist’s work.

Regardless of one’s opinion of Freud’s analysis, “Leonardo da Vinci and A Memory of His Childhood” remains a fascinating and thought-provoking book that offers readers a unique and insightful perspective on one of history’s most iconic figures. Its combination of biography and psychoanalysis makes it a standout work in the field of art history and a must-read for anyone with an interest in Leonardo da Vinci or the intersection of psychology and art.