Abstract:

Did Leonardo da Vinci teach esoteric wisdom - "how to see" - to some of his students?

We find evidence of this concealed in art of one of his top pupils, Giovanni Boltraffio.

In contrast to the overt subject of the painting, Narcissus-blinded by self-absorption and emotionally immature-the hidden message points to unity with universe, mirrored with perfect clarity by still water, in a parable of enlightenment.