Disgusting illness caused the artist Leonardo da Vinci to stop painting

A new study in Italy shows that geniuses in the 16th century have nerve damage that prevents drawing ability.

In the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine , Italian doctors said painter Leonardo da Vinci had paralysis of the nerve . Earlier, many researchers found that the genius artist had paralyzed the right side of his body due to a stroke, leading to a debilitating hand.

To conclude, the team of doctors led by Dr Davide Lazzeri, a specialist in reconstructive and cosmetic surgery at the Villa Salaria Hospital in Rome, analyzed two artworks. One of these is the portrait of Leonardo painter Leonardo Ambrogio Figino. The picture shows da Vinci's right arm hidden behind a shirt, a cramped hand.

The portrait of Leonardo da Vinci painted by Giovanni Ambrogio Figino.(Photo: Gallerie dell'Accademia).

"Instead of describing a typical hand clenched by a stroke, the work suggests a paralysis of the nerve, also known as a cylindrical hand , " Dr. Lazzeri explained.

The second work reviewed by doctors is a reprint of a genius artist playing lira da braccio, a Renaissance instrument that resembles a violin that requires a combination of both left and right hands. Besides, there were no reports of another movement decline or cognitive impairment in Leonardo da Vinci, meaning that he did not have a stroke but the possibility of paralysis was high.

The cylindrical nerve runs from the shoulder to the pinky finger, managing almost all of the inner hand muscles involved in fine motor. A fall or injury to the biceps can also lead to paralysis of the nerve.

"This could explain why the artist left many unfinished paintings, including the Mona Lisa, although he continued to teach in the last five years of his life," Dr. Lazzeri said.

Leonardo da Vinci is a painter, sculptor, architect, musician, doctor, anatomist, engineer, creator and natural philosopher, famous from the 15-16 century to the present. He is the author of many famous paintings today like Mona Lisa , The Last Supper .