Leonardo Da Vinci (1452-1519) in many respects can be seen as an artist/Scientist. The scientific nature of our world played a crucial role in da Vinci's art making. This stems from his key philosophy that "science is the investigation of reality, and art is an expression of the beauty of this reality". He believed that science and art could go together, and were a winning pair. Da Vinci studied nature very intensely for his art for four reasons. He had a strong interest in science, and its creations, and was eager to understand as much as he could. He wanted to achieve precise, naturalistic, accurate renderings. He hoped this would enhance his content by depicting the very best examples. Da Vinci believed in the importance of empirical learning. That is going out and 'doing' his research, rather than just looking at other's work, or being told second hand how to do something. Leonardo's study of the natural world meant his versions of commonly painted subjects; The Annunciation, Madonna of the Rocks, and Madonna and Saint Anne, far surpassed his predecessors/contemporaries in content and style.
             Leonardo's content reflects his study and interests of the natural world. He makes a strong point in painting water which was a phenomenon that fascinated him throughout his life. In The Annunciation he makes a big emphasis on painting an outside setting. We see Mary - for the first time in an Annunciation painting - being shown in an outside courtyard. Leonardo has paid great attention to showing plant life. We see a 'carpet' of flowers. These are all Italian natives which he studied the organography of. In particular the anemones umbel latum. He has gone to great lengths to ensure he depicts plants appropriate for the ecological setting and time of the year, which in this case is Spring. So we see spring time flowers. He includes both cedar and topiary cypress trees, al...