question of the day: Are the artists at Pixar collectively today’s Leonardo da Vinci?

Nothing against Pixar, but if there's any filmmaker who matches Leonardo da Vinci, it's James Cameron. He has an extensive knowledge of technology and science, as well as piloting and undersea experience that he uses to create even more ambitious film productions.

I think there is certainly a wealth of artistic achievement in the popular arts. The barrier to them being enjoyed and studied in the future, however, may be the sad realities of the medium. Anyone can view a painting, but a film needs to be played back. This may become more and more difficult as media change and film projectors become obsolete; even more so for works that exist mostly or exclusively on digital media.

I worry sometimes that, because of this, what is in reality an age of artistic flourishing will be seen in the future as a lost or dark age.

DaVinci's artistic exploits are the lesser of his accomplishments

even collectively, the craftsman at Pixar cannot approach LdV for sheer genius and wide ranging skills, artistry and imagination. da Vinci lived at a time when it was possible to still have a working acquaintance with most levels of human knowledge -- math, science, invention, art, music, history, astronomy. which he did. and while i do see a bit of The Last Supper in the framing of that mouth of the incerator shot, even that brilliance owes itself to.. Leonardo da Vinci. there may be collective brilliance, but i don't see that as being the same thing.

It's an impossible question, MAJ. Da Vinci wasn't Da Vinci in his time.

Nonetheless, I believe that in the past quarter century, Pixar has advanced the field of digital animation in specific and of cinema in general more than any other single artist or studio. They were the first - the first - to actually tell a story with computer animation with "The Adventures of André and Wally B." in 1984. (Their iconic "Luxo, Jr." came out only 2 years later, in 1986.) With advents likes their proprietary Renderman software and Pixar University, they are constant innovators not only in popular storytelling but also the very technical side of film production today.

For anyone interested, the extra features in Volume 1 of the Pixar Short Films Collection is a wonderful resource. Gotta love the folks at Pixar, they document everything

So, will some 26th century Dan Brown write "The Pixar Code"? Who knows? But I think they're pretty good candidates and at the very least should be heralded for both their technological and storytelling accomplishments.

Kudos to Pixar for pushing the envelope.

IMO, The discussion overview is too large,and too
disconnected in comparisons. "Collaborative"-yes.
But how many not acknowledged? The Software designers,
along with the digital artists should be given credit.
Uccello's Goblet sketch was made possible by the
advancement of mathematicians (with the artists pursuing their understanding of perspective).

The initial story team of writers or one individual-the beating heart.
To compare it with one visionary-tuff one (so I don't
take the comparison to Leo literally).

"Nothing happening in Fine Art in comparison ..."

What's happening as always: a lack of art education.
The masses have not embraced "concept."

"Great Art?" Some still think "Guernica," is a mish mash of ugliness.

I expect to see animated 3D tatoos any day now.