HYBRIDS, PURE LINES AND HUMAN CREATIVE VIGOUR

When originality feeds on contamination

Taking on different meanings depending on the context in which it is used, the expression “Hybrid, pure lines and creative vigor” lends itself to multiple interpretations. In the scientific field, the phrase could evoke genetic engineering processes aimed at creating new forms of life. In a philosophical context, the same expression could stimulate reflections on the nature of the human being and on the boundaries that separate it from other living species. The concept of “hybrid” in this case could represent the complexity of human identity, a set of biological, cultural and social characteristics that make us both unique and part of an evolutionary continuum that links us to all other forms of life. However, it is in the field of art and literature that the expression “Hybrid, pure lines and creative vigor” finds its maximum expression, taking on a connotation of wonder and amazement. The hybrid becomes a symbol of originality, experimentation, and overcoming the limits imposed by conventions. Giving life to innovative and surprising works, creative expressiveness feeds on contaminations between human races and different styles, techniques, and materials.

Florence, 1451. A notary, Piero da Vinci, and a young woman named Caterina, probably a slave or orphan girl of possible Mongolian origin brought to Italy by a merchant, conceive a child. In the da Vinci family home, located in the village of Anchiano near Vinci, Caterina gives birth to a son on April 15, 1452. That child, baptized Leonardo, will become known as Leonardo da Vinci, one of the most extraordinary figures in history. Thus, being close to Florence, the epicenter of the burgeoning Renaissance, begins the life of a genius whose influence would revolutionize art, science, and engineering. His baptism takes place in the nearby parish church of Santa Croce, but neither Piero nor Caterina is present; their single status being a social incongruity. Leonardo’s parentage, the son of a notary and a woman of uncertain origins, was highly unconventional for the time. Despite this, he received a surprisingly good education, demonstrating an early aptitude for the arts, sciences, and mathematics. Around the age of fourteen, Leonardo moved to Florence and became an apprentice in the prestigious workshop of Andrea del Verrocchio, a renowned painter and sculptor. “His artistic talent would blossom both in Florence and Milan,” your Italian guide clarifies, welcoming you to Leonardo’s birthplace. “During his time in Milan, he served Duke Ludovico Sforza not only as a painter, but also as a military engineer and scientific advisor, displaying the breadth of his extraordinary abilities.”

Among his most famous works from this period are the “Mona Lisa” (La Gioconda) and “The Last Supper,” a fresco in the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie that is widely considered one of the most significant masterpieces in art history. Your guide points out that Leonardo was not only a painter, but also a scientist, inventor, and engineer. “He meticulously filled notebooks with observations and studies on a wide range of subjects, from botany to mechanics, biology to anatomy. These notebooks contain sketches of flying machines, anatomical studies of the human body, and detailed observations of the natural world.” To ascertain the accuracy of Leonardo’s date of death, your guide takes a small journal out of his backpack, then looks around, sniffs the air, and smiles at you. “This region offers a journey into the past, an immersive experience in the universe of one of history’s greatest geniuses,” he explains, with evident enthusiasm for the area. “As you can see, Vinci is quite small. It’s famous for being Leonardo’s birthplace, of course, but there’s so much more to it.” As you cycle, you appreciate the peaceful landscape dotted with centuries-old olive groves and vineyards, but you keep wondering why I suggested you leave your cell phone at the hotel. In the center of Vinci, discover the Museo Leonardiano, which houses a large collection of scientific instruments and machines designed by Leonardo, along with replicas of his inventions. As you leave the museum, your guide, the inspiration for this immersive experience of art and nature, points out that you are on the slopes of Montalbano, a region rich in both history and natural beauty.

Discover the Castello dei Conti Guidi, a significant historical landmark in Vinci dating back to 1114.  “The surrounding landscape,” your guide explains, “is characterized by rolling green hills and olive groves that stretch towards the mountainous terrain of Monte Albano. These hills, dotted with vineyards and holm oak forests, create a tranquil natural environment perfect for walking and hiking,” he adds. “Especially in spring and summer, the fields burst with wildflowers and aromatic plants, adding vibrant colors and fragrant perfumes to the air. You should come back and experience it.” He then leads you to the 13th-century Church of Santa Croce, which has undergone several restorations. “Inside,” he says, gesturing for you to enter first, “you’ll see the baptismal font where Leonardo is believed to have been baptized.” A scenic path connects the center of Vinci to Leonardo’s birthplace. Along the way, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside, immersing yourself in the natural beauty of the area. “The views are stunning, and the atmosphere is remarkably unchanged,” your guide observes. “It truly feels like stepping back into the Renaissance, wouldn’t you agree?” Leaving the village, your companion mounts his bicycle and invites you to join him. “Our next stop is Leonardo da Vinci’s birthplace, in the hamlet of Anchiano, just a few kilometers from Vinci’s center. It’s a place of great interest, visited by thousands of people from around the world every year.” Inside Leonardo’s house, you can view original documents and objects, including drawings, sketches, and tools that him, a lefthanded, used throughout his life. “You’ve had the opportunity to experience something truly unique and enriching,” he says winking his right eye. “Well yes, I’m left-handed too!”

“At the Ultroneo restaurant, you’ll experience authentic traditional cuisine,” your guide says as you cycle back to Vinci. “You can’t leave without experiencing the flavors and aromas that shaped Leonardo’s childhood!” He whets your appetite with descriptions of liver crostini and Chianina tartare, the fragrant herbs rosemary and marjoram, the creamy richness of baccalà mantecato (creamed cod), and the distinct taste of local olives. “Excellent in their simplicity, yet never banal,” he adds. “And don’t worry about the bill; it’ll be split evenly.” You discover that cycling back has indeed aided digestion, and you now have a better appreciation for the nuances of Tuscan wines. You understand the balanced tannins, acidity, and fruitiness of Chianti, and you know that Nobile di Montepulciano, a robust and complex red, pairs beautifully with richer, more flavorful dishes. Arriving at the Antica Bottega di Vinci, a charming hilltop bed and breakfast, your left hand suggests relaxing on the shared terrace, perhaps enjoying an aperitif or breakfast in the morning.  He pauses by your room: “Rustic decor, but with a private bathroom and free Wi-Fi.  Tomorrow morning, a delicious traditional Italian breakfast awaits us, complete with homemade treats, of course.  If you’d like to know more, feel free to check out their website,” he says, giving a casual wave with his left hand. Activating your phone, you open your calendar and make a note: “Perched on a hill amidst olive groves, Antica Bottega di Vinci offers three rooms and a garden. It’s conveniently located just 2 km from Leonardo’s birthplace, nestled in the tranquil Tuscan countryside. Tomorrow, we’ll cycle to Florence – a two and a half hours ride – bringing us at the heart of the Italian Renaissance.”

You discover that spending a night in a Tuscan country house, surrounded by nature, is an extraordinarily regenerating and relaxing experience. You wake up to the sound of birds singing and fresh air coming through the window, the view of rolling hills covered in vineyards and olive groves. The tranquility of the countryside, far from the hustle and bustle of the city, gives you a sense of peace and serenity. You stroll along the paths, breathing in the scents of the earth and flowers. Then, together with your guide, you savor a breakfast of fresh bread, cheese and fruit. You discover that the journey in this land gives you energy to face the day. “Take some more!”, suggests your special left-handed, as he waits for you outside the terrace. He is smoking an “Toscano Antica Riserva Cigar“, he will clarify shortly after, as you place water bottles on your bicycles. “If you have never had an experience similar to what you are experiencing, I would like to know how you felt,” he adds, climbing on his bicycle. “During his childhood, Leonardo da Vinci ate a typical 15th-century diet. Simple, local foods,” he explains, half an unlit cigar between his lips, as you pedal toward Florence. “Homemade bread and simple pasta were staples in the daily diet of those times. But fresh vegetables like onions, carrots, zucchini, and cauliflower were also commonly eaten.”

You stop midway, and your guide shares pears, apples, grapes, and cherries from his backpack.  “We’ll have to wait until we reach Piazza della Signoria and a traditional restaurant in the center of Florence to enjoy beans, lentils, and peas – important sources of protein,” he says. As you continue cycling, you learn that Leonardo became a vegetarian in adulthood, though as a child, he likely ate chicken, pork, and veal. “He was known for his experimentation with spices and herbs,” he explains. “He loved combining strong flavors, sweet and salty.”  Leonardo, who learned to write left-handed and in reverse, spent his early childhood in his grandparents’ home.  His father eventually returned to Florence with his family, settling in a house near Piazza della Signoria.  It was there that he showed some of Leonardo’s drawings to Andrea del Verrocchio. Your guide adds that Verrocchio’s other students included Botticelli, Perugino, and Ghirlandaio. “They all gained knowledge of carpentry, mechanics, engineering, and architecture,” he specifies, enveloped in a cloud of smoke from his cigar. “Since 1451, the Verrocchio family owned a house right here, at the intersection of Via dell’Agnolo and Via de’ Macci. Nearby was the workshop where Leonardo himself apprenticed.”

You look around, realizing you’re perfectly positioned to explore the world of art. You know that the “Mona Lisa” resides in the Louvre, the world’s most visited art museum.  You also know that a visit to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence will complete your immersion in the Italian Renaissance, offering you masterpieces. As you bid farewell to your guide, you reflect on how the effects of intuition can vary depending on the context. The visual impact manifested in the breathtaking and surprising light of dawn you witnessed from the Tuscan farmhouse. The psychological effects, however, will unfold upon your return home, subtly influencing your daily life. Among these will be the memory of the color and scent of rosemary blossoms, which will contribute to greater self-awareness and a stronger ability to manage your emotions. There are no portraits of Leonardo as a child that can reveal the color of his eyes. You know that the most common eye color in the Italian Renaissance was brown or hazel; but some portraits, as an adult, show him with light eyes. Although the precise color of his eyes remains a mystery, as you pack your suitcase, don’t imagine them as the color of rosemary flowers; you don’t have to, because your guide has given you a sprig of it.

“Growing a rosemary plant from a cutting is a fairly simple process,” the guide had told you yesterday after returning from the garden of the bed and breakfast. While you were having breakfast, you had seen him cut a sprig and remove the leaves from the lower part. You still remember the seriousness with which he had invited you to take care of it: “You can put it in a glass of water, but make sure to change it every few days to avoid mold.” Your author journey through the Italian Renaissance is coming to an end. On the back of a postcard, before leaving the Hotel Brunelleschi in Florence, you write what the left-handed man had added: “Keep the sprig in a bright place, but away from direct sunlight. Once the sprig has developed strong roots, you can transplant it into a pot or directly into the garden. Water it regularly, especially in the first few months after transplanting, and make sure the plant gets at least six hours of sunlight a day.” You look at your sprig, inside a glass, on the nightstand next to the bed. You can’t help but think about the problems waiting for you at home. “I will do as with the rosemary; with a bit of patience and care, I will have a new flourishing life.”