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frame Leonardo da VinciA polymath is a person who excels in multiple fields, particularly in both arts and sciences. Another term for this is Renaissance man or Homo universalis. Many notable polymaths lived during the European Renaissance period, and a rounded approach to education was typical of the ideals of the humanists of the time. A gentleman or courtier of that era was expected to speak several languages, play a musical instrument, write poetry and so on, thus fulfilling the Renaissance ideal. On the other hand "polymath" may be applied more strictly, taking da Vinci or Goethe as prime examples, and requiring a universality of approach. A polymath may not necessarily be classed as a genius, which is a more debatable classification; and certainly a genius may not display the breadth to qualify as a polymath.
See also: List of polymaths
Renaissance
