How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Accepting hundreds of lucrative Vatican commissions, Da Vinci painted Christian themes not as an expression of his own beliefs but rather as a commercial venture – a means of funding a lavish lifestyle. Unfortunately, Da Vinci was a prankster who often amused himself by quietly gnawing at the hand that fed him. He incorporated in many of his Christian paintings hidden symbolism that was anything but Christian – tributes to his own beliefs and a subtle thumbing of his nose at the Church. (8.35)
Da Vinci probably hated having to paint as a "commercial venture". Most artists do – they want to be able to express themselves, not someone else's idea of art. But someone's gotta put food on the table. So, this was his way of making his career more palatable. Thankfully, it also lends a bit of humor to some rather serious subject matters.
Quote #2
Over the next half hour, Langdon showed them slides of artwork by Michelangelo, Albrecht Dürer, Da Vinci, and many others, demonstrating each artist's intentional and rigorous adherence to the Divine Proportion in the layout of his compositions. Langdon unveiled PHI in the architectural dimensions of the Greek Parthenon, the pyramids of Egypt, and even the United Nations Building in New York. PHI appeared in the organizational structures of Mozart's sonatas, Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, as well as the works of Bartók, Debussy, and Schubert. The number PHI, Langdon told them, was even used by Stradivarius to calculate the exact placement of the f-holes in the construction of his famous violins. (20.73)
Who knew art was so mathematic? (Well, other than Langdon, of course.) Langdon takes such glee in making people see everyday objects in a new light, so it's no surprise that this particular subject matter brings him particular joy.
Quote #3
While being interviewed by an American art magazine, Saunière had expressed his distaste for the modernist Cubist movement by noting that Picasso's masterpiece Les Demoiselles d'Avignon was a perfect anagram of vile meaningless doodles. Picasso fans were not amused. (21.6)
If you're wondering what Les Demoiselles d'Avignon looks like, here's a link. Although everyone's entitled to their own opinion (that's why it's art!), Saunière might've been a bit snobby turning his nose up at one of Picasso's masterpieces in such a way. Then again, if you idolize Da Vinci, Picasso wouldn't seem to be in the same class.