Leonardo Da Vinci

Early Life

Leonardo Da Vinci was born on April 15, 1452. He was born to Piero da Vinci and a 16 year old, Caterina. He would be Piero's illegitimate son, and was the oldest of 12 kids, being raised in his grandfather's estate. He did not have any formal training in the arts, science or architecture, but still had artistic talent as a child. In 1476, he was almost in trouble with the law as he was accused of sodomy with 3 men, however being popular and treated well throughout his life, many others vouched for him, and he was let go. He was taken in by Andrea del Verrocchio. He worked alongside Verrocchio for about a decade, refining his art.

Portrait of Andrea del Verrocchio, Sandro Botticelli

He became an independent master in 1478, working on his first commissioned piece in 1482, 'the Adoration of the Magi' for Florence's San Donato; however he did not finish this piece. He did not start working on his studies on math and science until his 30s. After then, he became a refined scientist with many achievements in the art world and the science world. He was married to a woman named Melzi, who later went on to remarry and have kids. He left Italy for good after Francis I offered the title 'Premier Painter and Engineer and Architect to the King'; which he did not take kindly.

He left Melzi behind, and left Italy for good. He had passed away at Cloux in 1519, and was buried in the palace church of Saint Florentin. His body was unfortunately not found, being completely destroyed due to the French Revolution happening, and warfare destroying the palace-church and the surrounding area.

Achievements

Leonardo Da Vinci had been a very successful man throughout his lifetime. Below are some of his greatest accomplishments.

• The invention of sfumato overtime, due to his art career, a very good technique for hazy effects in painting.

• The perfection of the golden proportions, another useful piece of information to use in art.

• The study of anatomy furthering scientific accomplishment during his time.

• Discovery of movement, force, weight and percussion.

• The methods he studied under caused the Scientific Revolution to happen in the Renaissance.

Iconic Art Pieces

Below are listed some of Da Vinci's most iconic paintings.

• The Mona Lisa ( 1503- 1519 )

• The Vitruvian Man ( sketch made in about 1490 )

• The Last Supper ( 1495- 1498 )

• Salvator Mundi ( 1490- 1500 )

• Adoration of the Magi ( 1481-1496 )