Abstract
This is a book review that provides an in depth summary of the novel "The Da Vinci Code" by Dan Brown and finishes with a brief discussion on the Christian themes that present itself in the novel. The Christian themes discussed are on the historical accuracy and the legitimacy of his basic claims. Such things as the marriage of Jesus and the suppression of certain gospels are all themes that arise and are refuted or discussed by competing scholars on the subject.

Outline:
Overview
Christian Themes

From the Paper
"It is important to be aware that "The Da Vinci Code" is literary fiction; the appearance of historical accuracy is only superficial. Brown's book is a minefield of disinformation for the unwary reader. He disturbs scholars of history and theology alike with his claims to legitimate scholarship, when evidence suggests that his sources are often from latter-day mystics rather than from reliable academic research. (Burstein, 2004) There is, however, a consistent reality behind Dan Brown's fictionalized Church and art history: For instance, the Church has, indeed, suppressed alternative Gospels, many written by sects denounced as heretical a few centuries after Christ. (Brown, 2003)
"The discriminating reader may notice that the book is a somewhat formulaic mystery, and not a notably executed representative of the genre. Still, it was on The New York Times best-seller list for more than two years and was made into a film starring Tom Hanks. Brown's achievement is that he has made ecclesiastical history exciting for the general public. He has also created a cottage industry of refutation against his claims regarding apocryphal writings. While these early writings do suggest that Jesus intended a more active role for women than what subsequently developed, none claim that Jesus was married as the novel does. A married Jesus is, at best, an unlikely possibility among serious students of early biblical history. (Robinson, 2005)"

Tags:dan brown, the da vinci code, theology, christianity

Abstract
This paper discusses Leonardo da Vinci's contribution to the modern world and how his creative thinking and inventions were based on his study of nature and its principles.

From the Paper
"Leonardo Da Vinci made a tremendous contribution to the modern world not only in terms of his art-which was exquisite-but also in terms of his mathematical and scientific thinking and the marvelous inventions that he designed. Da Vinci was a thinker ahead of his time and this was largely because he made a point of always being a student. He studied nature, mathematics and science, learning the interconnected relationships among them and the scientific bases for natural phenomena. This..."

Tags:Leonardo da Vinci, science, inventions, nature, sketches

Abstract
This paper discusses da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" and the painting that inspired it, plus a painting that it inspired, discussing the painter's technique and iconography.

From the Paper
"Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting, the "Mona Lisa", stands on its own as one of the most recognized and celebrated paintings in the world. However, this does not mean that Leonardo was not influenced by previous artists, nor that his painting failed to influence his contemporaries or the artists that came after him. As a matter of fact, Leonardo's Mona Lisa was influenced by a painting done by Verrocchio, "Lady with a Bunch of Flowers" which was painted in approximately..."

Tags:art, Leonardo da Vinci, Mona Lisa, iconography, sfumato

Abstract
The paper examines Dan Brown's popular novel, "The Da Vinci Code" in terms of a close reading of Chapter 55 and a discussion of the Holy Grail. The paper discusses the purpose of Chapter 55 as setting the stage for future revelations in the novel.

From the Paper
"A Close Reading of Chapter 55, The Da Vinci Code As Chapter 55 of Dan Brown's novel. The Da Vinci Code begins: Sophie Neveu, Robert Langdon and Sir Leigh Teabing are gathered in Teabing's study engaged in a discussion of the Holy Grail. Teabing's somewhat sermonic introductory remarks position the discussion that is to come."

Tags:Dan Brown, The Da Vinci Code

Abstract
This paper examines the link between Leonardo da Vinci's art and the Scientific Revolution, discussing various factors such as the mathematization of nature, the study of perspective, and the golden ratio. Figures of related works are included.

From the Paper
"Art and science have long been presumed to be polar opposites, the one fueled by fantasy and creativity and the other by the mathematics and natural laws that are viewed as the other end of the spectrum. This is an incomplete and inaccurate perception, however. Art and science are, in fact, integrally connected and their premises are closely allied. The mathematical systems that science is based on are as much a part of art as of science, although art is..."

Tags:Scientific Revolution, Leonardo da Vinci, art, inventions, perspective, mathematization of nature, golden ratio, Phi

Abstract
Not more than fifty years after the painting was completed, and while Leonardo was still alive, the painting began to fade. The decay began with peeling paint. Leonardo had chosen not to work in the traditional medium of fresco, that is, painting directly on the freshly plastered wall. Leonardo da Vinci's painting is a masterpiece of iconic religious art. The painting is a study in geometric symmetry. Jesus' gesture is symbolic on several levels.

Tags:da, vincis, supper

Abstract
This paper examines how in Western cultural mythology Leonardo da Vinci has risen to almost superhero prominence. It looks at how he holds a powerful place in the history of Western civilization because of the sheer range of his genius and not simply as an artist a scientist or an engineer.

From the Paper
"In Western cultural mythology, Leonardo da Vinci has risen to almost superhero prominence. His historical genius is rivaled only, perhaps, by Albert Einstein. Even then, however, Leonardo holds a powerful place in the history of Western civilization because of the sheer range of his genius. He was not simply an artist, a scientist, or an engineer. Rather, many scholars have characterized Leonardo as the "paragon artist-scientist-engineer" (Atalay, 2004: xvii). Indeed, Leonardo's life and accomplishments therein lend much credibility to this characterization of Leonardo as the ultimate Renaissance man. We should not forget, however, that Leonardo was also a man born in a time of incredible cultural change in the history of Western civilization. Leonardo da Vinci was born in 1452 and lived throughout Italy and France before dying in 1519, a kept man of the king of France. "

Tags:leonardo, vinci, biography

Abstract
This is a brief book review of Hart's book about the man behind the artist, Leonardo da Vinci. The paper explains that da Vinci had several other interests besides art work; he was a scientist, he managed to dream up methods of flight, and was also enthralled by engineering.

From the Paper
"Leonardo's work as a scientist is too well known, nowadays, to say that reading Hart's book for a contemporary student of the period fundamentally shakes his or her conceptions of Leonardo as an artist alone. However, rather than merely reinforcing the image of Leonardo as a quintessential master of all the disciplines, the reader emerges with a more balanced perspective of the Renaissance integration of science, theology, and art in the mind of Leonardo an integration that in today's highly specialized times seems enviable."

Tags:renaissance

Abstract
The paper outlines a short biography of Leonardo Da Vinci. The paper portrays some of his works and describes the time period in which he lived. The paper describes Leonardo Da Vinci the man, and his contributions to art, science and humanity.

From the Paper
"Leonardo Da Vinci is one of the greatest and most ingenious men that history has produced. His contributions to art, science, and humanity are still among the most important that a single man has put forth. Da Vinci, born on April 15, 1452, is credited with being a master painter, sculptor, architect, engineer, and scientist."

Tags:artist, europe, italy, renaissance, verrocchio, florence, scientist, engineer, architect

Abstract
This paper discusses the historical eras that influenced the development of the world that we live in today, focusing specifically on the Medieval and Renaissance eras. In order to understand their relevance for human civilization, this paper considers these eras from the perspective of the cultural epoch theory.

From the Paper
"The Medieval period is seen as a moment of regress for the civilization from various points of view which relate to the fact that the political, economic, and cultural dimensions of life saw a return to the more primitive aspects of the human being. In this sense, the period of the Middle Ages had followed the disintegration of the Roman Empire, an event which marked a sudden and at the same time negative change in the way in which territories were organized, social relations were established, as well as the way in which religious and cultural life was perceived and conducted.

Tags:annulment, printing machine, church man da vinci