The sketch chosen for our business card is one by Leonardo Da Vinci. He was commissioned in March of 1481 by San Agostino to paint the Adoration of the Magi. Before he would begin to paint, he meticulously planned out each portion of his painting. This sketch is one of his preliminary sketches for the background final painting.

We chose Da Vinci because of the multiple disciplines in which he thought, designed and produced innovations that were only later acknowledged for their contribution to thinking. His notebooks are famous. He would reflect in many different disciplines, and make sketches and notes. Constituting, designing and assessing business missions and personal ambitions take the same kind of crafting. Offers require designing and crafting before you speak and perform, make or fulfill, and producing satisfaction. We often see that people do not take the time to “craft” their offers. We chose Da Vinci and his skill at sketching as a reminder that this level of skill and performance is required to perform in the top 1%.

Da Vinci would begin with the Perspective Space, dividing the sheet by Divine Proportion. He did this by tracing the horizon and then the axis of composition. He then drew the modular grid of the flooring and then was able to place objects, such as buildings and configure the space of the drawing. One side of the sketch has a grandiose building and the other a structure of classic architecture. You will also notice the rebuilding of these structures which is believed to symbolize peace. This image of peace is in direct contrast with the scene in the middle of the sketch which is a battle scene with horses and riders. This scene is a symbolization of war. The entire sketch is surrounded by two sloping roofs and would later become the background of the altar in the final piece. To become the background the sketch was redrawn with the same proportions. Under light you can see tiny holes on the original sketch which suggests that it was actually traced onto the later piece. In his final painting, this sketch is the background, and does not look like this original sketch. Just a clear example of the depth of thinking, crafting and time horizon required to perform at the level of a master.

Innovation through Mastery – Leonardo Da Vinci is a great example of this kind of thinking, skill, commitment and work that is required.