--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If Michaelangelo or Leonardo Da Vinci…" description: "\"If Michaelangelo or Leonardo Da Vinci were alive today they’d be making Avatar, not painting a chapel.\" — Banksy" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/05b/banksy-3076_alive_if-michaelangelo-or-leonardo-da-vinci-we_1532548.jpg" --- # If Michaelangelo or Leonardo Da Vinci were alive today… ![“If Michaelangelo or Leonardo Da Vinci were alive today they’d be making Avatar, not painting a chapel.” quote by Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/05b/banksy-3076_alive_if-michaelangelo-or-leonardo-da-vinci-we_1532548.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/05b/banksy-3076_alive_if-michaelangelo-or-leonardo-da-vinci-we_1532548.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/05b/banksy-3076_alive_if-michaelangelo-or-leonardo-da-vinci-we_1532548.jpg) > “If Michaelangelo or Leonardo Da Vinci were alive today they’d be making Avatar, not painting a chapel.” [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Modern artists would likely focus on digital media rather than traditional frescoes. **In simple terms:** Artists would choose new tech over old art. Key Takeaway Embrace contemporary tools. Themes art technology culture Mood reflective critical Type observational commentary When to use this quote - film production - video games - virtual reality - advertising - public installations Key Concepts digital media innovation legacy Questions to Reflect On - How would you adapt classic skills today? - What medium best conveys your message? A Different Perspective Traditional techniques still hold unique value. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alive/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Avatar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/avatar/) [Chapel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chapel/) [Da Vinci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/da-vinci/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Leonardo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leonardo/) [Leonardo Da Vinci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leonardo-da-vinci/) [Live for today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/live-for-today/) [Michaelangelo Leonardo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/michaelangelo-leonardo-5690244/) [Painting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/painting/) [Today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/today/) [Vinci Alive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vinci-alive-5690243/) ## Related quotes > [I think its pretty clear that film is the pre-eminent art form of our age. If Michaelangelo or Leonardo Da Vinci were alive today…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/i-think-its-pretty-clear-that-film-is-the-pre-eminent-art-form-of-our/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [When you're a kid, and someone's an artist, you think of Leonardo da Vinci. You don't think that's a job; you just think of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noel-fielding/when-you-re-a-kid-and-someone-s-an-artist-you-think-of-leonardo-da/) [Noel Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noel-fielding/) > [The philosophic mind inclines always to an elaborate life--the life of Goethe or of Leonardo da Vinci; but the life of the poet isintense--the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/the-philosophic-mind-inclines-always-to-an-elaborate-life-the-life-of/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) > [“Leonardo da Vinci. He knew and achieved more than possibly any other man that ever lived. He was never satisfied with the knowledge he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/can-akdeniz/leonardo-da-vinci-he-knew-and-achieved-more-than-possibly-any-other/) [Can Akdeniz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/can-akdeniz/) > [If I had to spend equal time doing paintings, and equal time going to galleries and doing art business, and equal time making music,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debbie-harry/if-i-had-to-spend-equal-time-doing-paintings-and-equal-time-going-to/) [Debbie Harry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debbie-harry/) > [What made Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Edison and Albert Einstein such creative geniuses? It wasn't reading books or watching YouTube talks about How To…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-burkeman/what-made-leonardo-da-vinci-thomas-edison-and-albert-einstein-such/) [Oliver Burkeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-burkeman/) > [“While I thought that I was learning how to live, I have been learning how to die. -Leonardo Da Vinci”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-bowden/while-i-thought-that-i-was-learning-how-to-live-i-have-been-learning/) [Oliver Bowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-bowden/) > [“quote from Leonardo da Vinci: “Obstacles cannot crush me; every obstacle yields to stern resolve.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/quote-from-leonardo-da-vinci-obstacles-cannot-crush-me-every-obstacle/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I don't think neurobiology is going to replace aesthetics or art history. It's a parallel discipline that adds a new dimension. I always compare…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-kandel/i-don-t-think-neurobiology-is-going-to-replace-aesthetics-or-art/) [Eric Kandel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-kandel/) > [There is a connection, hard to explain logically but easy to feel, between achievement in public life and progress in the arts. The age…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/there-is-a-connection-hard-to-explain-logically-but-easy-to-feel/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [Even Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci were entertainers. In that way, I am an entertainer and want to make art that is fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yasumasa-morimura/even-michelangelo-and-leonardo-da-vinci-were-entertainers-in-that-way/) [Yasumasa Morimura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yasumasa-morimura/) > [In Italy, for 30 years under the Borgias, they had warfare, terror, murder and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-welles/in-italy-for-30-years-under-the-borgias-they-had-warfare-terror/) [Orson Welles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-welles/) > [“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.’ —Leonardo da Vinci”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virender-kapoor/simplicity-is-the-ultimate-sophistication-leonardo-da-vinci/) [Virender Kapoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virender-kapoor/) > [“When he was creating this picture, Leonardo da Vinci encountered a serious problem: he had to depict Good - in the person of Jesus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/when-he-was-creating-this-picture-leonardo-da-vinci-encountered-a/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [I got married a bit late, I agree. In any other period of history I'd have been dead at that age and they'd have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-duchovny/i-got-married-a-bit-late-i-agree-in-any-other-period-of-history-i-d/) [David Duchovny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-duchovny/) ## More by Banksy > [A wall is a very big weapon. It's one of the nastiest things you can hit someone with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/a-wall-is-a-very-big-weapon-it-s-one-of-the-nastiest-things-you-can/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [Some people criticize me for using sources that are a bit low brow (this quote is from 'Gladiator') but you know what? 'I'm just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/some-people-criticize-me-for-using-sources-that-are-a-bit-low-brow/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [There's nothing more dangerous than someone who wants to make the world a better place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/there-s-nothing-more-dangerous-than-someone-who-wants-to-make-the/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [The grumpier you are, the more assholes you meet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/the-grumpier-you-are-the-more-assholes-you-meet/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [Today's art has been cancelled due to police activity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/today-s-art-has-been-cancelled-due-to-police-activity/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [Graffiti ultimately wins out over proper art because it becomes part of your city, it' s a tool; "I'll meet you in that pub,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/graffiti-ultimately-wins-out-over-proper-art-because-it-becomes-part/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [The bad artists imitate, the great artists steal,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/the-bad-artists-imitate-the-great-artists-steal/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [Graffiti's always been a temporary art form. You make your mark and then they scrub it off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/graffiti-s-always-been-a-temporary-art-form-you-make-your-mark-and/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [I just wanna make the world a better-looking place. If you don't like it, you can paint over it!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/i-just-wanna-make-the-world-a-better-looking-place-if-you-don-t-like/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [When he time comes to leave, just walk away quietly and don't make any fuss.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/when-he-time-comes-to-leave-just-walk-away-quietly-and-don-t-make-any/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [If at first you don't succeed, Call an airstrike.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/if-at-first-you-don-t-succeed-call-an-airstrike/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [Painting something that defies the law of the land is good. Painting something that defies the law of the land and the law of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/painting-something-that-defies-the-law-of-the-land-is-good-painting/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [“Think outside the box, collapse the box, and take a fucking sharp knife to it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/think-outside-the-box-collapse-the-box-and-take-a-fucking-sharp-knife/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [We can't do anything to change the world until capitalism crumbles. In the meantime we should all go shopping to console ourselves,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/we-can-t-do-anything-to-change-the-world-until-capitalism-crumbles-in/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [If you want to say something and have people listen then you have to wear a mask. If you want to be honest then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/if-you-want-to-say-something-and-have-people-listen-then-you-have-to/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) [Explore all 140 Banksy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) ## More Alive quotes > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I feel very grateful to be alive and well enough to make music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-ant/i-feel-very-grateful-to-be-alive-and-well-enough-to-make-music/) [Adam Ant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-ant/) > [I don't crave applause. I'm not one of those guys who comes alive on stage. I'm much more alive at home, I think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bowie/i-don-t-crave-applause-i-m-not-one-of-those-guys-who-comes-alive-on/) [David Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bowie/) > [We must master our egoism, and through this mastery, step outside ourselves and educate ourselves in giving. Fasting requires that we rediscover all that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/we-must-master-our-egoism-and-through-this-mastery-step-outside/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) > [I can't say that there are 'things' that make me come alive. There are thoughts that make me come alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/i-can-t-say-that-there-are-things-that-make-me-come-alive-there-are/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [We're like the wicked witch. We promise gingerbread, then eat the little brats alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/we-re-like-the-wicked-witch-we-promise-gingerbread-then-eat-the/) [Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/) > [If Jovan Belcher didn't possess a gun, he and Kasandra Perkins would both be alive today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-costas/if-jovan-belcher-didn-t-possess-a-gun-he-and-kasandra-perkins-would/) [Bob Costas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-costas/) > [Peace is an ongoing process. It begins with the first step and it does not end. We, all of us alive today, are the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-krieger/peace-is-an-ongoing-process-it-begins-with-the-first-step-and-it-does/) [David Krieger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-krieger/) > [I think adoption becomes complicated whenever the biological parents are alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-haven/i-think-adoption-becomes-complicated-whenever-the-biological-parents/) [James Haven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-haven/) > [The pain of love is the pain of being alive. It is a perpetual wound.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-duffy/the-pain-of-love-is-the-pain-of-being-alive-it-is-a-perpetual-wound/) [Maureen Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-duffy/) > [I have tried to resign myself, and to console myself; and that, I hope, I may have done imperfectly; but what I cannot firmly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-have-tried-to-resign-myself-and-to-console-myself-and-that-i-hope-i/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [If Melanchthon were alive today, he might not weep because of controversies that surround the Lord's Supper, but he might well sorrow because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erwin-w-lutzer/if-melanchthon-were-alive-today-he-might-not-weep-because-of/) [Erwin W. Lutzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erwin-w-lutzer/) > [If you’re alive, don’t move, if you’re dead, don’t worry about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/if-you-re-alive-don-t-move-if-you-re-dead-don-t-worry-about-it/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [Here Greek and Roman find themselves alive along these crowded shelves; and Shakespeare treads again his stage, and Chaucer paints anew his age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/here-greek-and-roman-find-themselves-alive-along-these-crowded/) [John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/) > [You're alive!" Fezzik cried. The man in black sat immobile, like a ventriloquist's dummy, just his mouth moving. "That is perhaps the most childishly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-goldman/you-re-alive-fezzik-cried-the-man-in-black-sat-immobile-like-a/) [William Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-goldman/) [Browse all 7,282 Alive quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alive/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If Michaelangelo or Leonardo Da Vinci were alive today they’d be making Avatar, not painting a chapel.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Banksy" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/if-michaelangelo-or-leonardo-da-vinci-were-alive-today-they-d-be/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Alive" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/if-michaelangelo-or-leonardo-da-vinci-were-alive-today-they-d-be/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/05b/banksy-3076_alive_if-michaelangelo-or-leonardo-da-vinci-we_1532548.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/05b/banksy-3076_alive_if-michaelangelo-or-leonardo-da-vinci-we_1532548.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/05b/banksy-3076_alive_if-michaelangelo-or-leonardo-da-vinci-we_1532548.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If Michaelangelo or Leonardo Da Vinci were alive today they’d be making Avatar, not painting a chapel.” — Banksy", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Banksy", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If Michaelangelo or Leonardo Da Vinci...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/if-michaelangelo-or-leonardo-da-vinci-were-alive-today-they-d-be/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/if-michaelangelo-or-leonardo-da-vinci-were-alive-today-they-d-be/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```