Leonardo da Vinci was an Italian polymath of the Renaissance whose areas of interest included invention, painting, sculpting, architecture, science, music, mathematics, engineering, literature, anatomy, geology, astronomy and cartography. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest painters of all time and perhaps the most diversely talented person ever to have lived. His genius epitomized the Renaissance humanist ideal. He is often considered one of the most diversely talented individuals ever to have lived. His works are influential in a variety of fields ranging from art and architecture to science and engineering. His ideas have had a profound influence on modern thought and culture.