As the top-ranked figure, Leonardo da Vinci defines the absolute ceiling of human genius. Unlike many masters in art history who focused on a single medium, Da Vinci’s body of work is exceptionally rare—with fewer than 20 acknowledged oil paintings in existence today. Yet, this "minimalist" output has not diminished his impact. Statistics show his Mona Lisa attracts over 10 million visitors annually, and the valuation of his work (by auction and insurance standards) far exceeds that of any subsequent artist. More than just a painter, he was an engineer 500 years ahead of his time; his 6,000+ pages of surviving manuscripts—filled with anatomical, aerodynamic, and architectural insights—contain a level of intellectual depth that rivals his artistic fame, securing his undisputed status at number one.