#2 · 1-23-26 · The Renaissance

Salai (Little Devil)

Pupil and companion of Leonardo da Vinci, known for his mischievous nature.

ENTP

1480–1524

AI-assisted Portrait of Salai (Little Devil)

The Spark in the Studio

Gian Giacomo Caprotti, better known as Salai ("Little Devil"), entered Leonardo da Vinci’s life as a young boy and remained his companion for over 25 years. Despite being repeatedly described by Leonardo himself as a liar, thief, troublemaker, and general menace, Leonardo kept him, paid him, traveled with him, and eventually left him a significant inheritance.

This dynamic alone should make people pause. Why would one of history's most exacting and disciplined minds tolerate such a disruptive presence? The answer lies in the cognitive synergy between the two.

Ne – dominant

Salai was curious, impulsive, playful, and constantly pushing boundaries. He tested limits not out of malice, but out of experimentation. He embodied novelty-seeking, improvisation, and opportunism — classic Ne dominance.

He wasn’t focused on one craft or long-term vision. He drifted, adapted, and inserted himself into situations through charisma and timing rather than discipline or mastery.

Ti – auxiliary

Salai survived through cleverness, not values or structure. He knew how to recalibrate behavior just enough to stay in Leonardo’s orbit. That’s Ti: internal logic, tactical thinking, and adaptive intelligence.

He wasn’t emotionally confessional or morally expressive (low Fi). Instead, he used wit and flexibility to navigate power dynamics.

Fe – tertiary

Salai had clear social magnetism. People tolerated him far longer than they “should have.” Leonardo himself — one of the most exacting minds in history — remained attached despite constant frustration.

That points to Fe charm: knowing how to soften impact, diffuse tension, and remain likable even when unreliable.

Si – inferior

Routine, discipline, and reliability were Salai’s weakest traits. Leonardo complained endlessly about his lack of follow-through. This wasn’t rebellion — it was low Si: poor consistency, poor respect for structure, living in the moment.

Why ENTP (not ENFP)?

Salai was not values-driven, emotionally expressive, or authenticity-focused. There’s no evidence of Fi moral orientation, guilt spirals, or emotional self-definition. He didn’t rupture relationships over feelings — he stayed and adapted.

That’s ENTP, not ENFP.

The Pairing Makes Sense

The INTJ + ENTP dynamic is a classic cognitive pairing:

INTJ (Leonardo): Vision, restraint, long-range synthesis.
ENTP (Salai): Spark, embodiment, disruption, aliveness.

Salai didn’t compete with Leonardo intellectually. He activated him. He brought play, sensuality, and presence into an otherwise hyper-controlled inner world. Leonardo saw the future; Salai made him feel alive in the present.