Leonardo da Vinci (1452 -1519) was an Italian Renaissance architect, musician, inventor, engineer, and scientist. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest painters of all time and perhaps the most diversely talented person ever to have lived.
In addition to his prodigious artistic talents, Leonardo da Vinci was also a skilled scientist and engineer. He designed a number of innovative machines, including a flying machine and a tank. He also made important discoveries in the fields of anatomy, optics, and hydraulics. In total, he left behind a legacy of more than 6,000 pages of notes and drawings detailing his observations and ideas.
Leonardo da Vinci was born on April 15, 1452, in the Tuscan town of Vinci. He was the illegitimate son of a wealthy Florentine notary and a peasant woman named Caterina. Leonardo spent his childhood in Vinci, where he received a simple education in reading, writing, and mathematics.
At the age of 15, Leonardo was apprenticed to the noted artist Andrea del Verrocchio in Florence. He quickly proved to be an able student, mastering a variety of artistic techniques. He also began collaborating with Verrocchio on a number of major commissions.
In 1482, Leonardo da Vinci left Florence for Milan, where he spent the next 17 years of his life. He worked for a number of patrons in Milan, including the city’s governor, Ludovico Sforza. He also gained notoriety for his eccentric behavior and reclusive lifestyle.
During his time in Milan, Leonardo completed a number of notable works, including “The Last Supper” and the “Mona Lisa.” He also continued to pursue his interests in science and engineering, designing a number of innovative machines.
In 1499, French troops invaded Milan and Leonardo da Vinci was forced to flee. He eventually settled in Florence, where he remained for the next three years. He returned to Milan in 1506 and spent the final years of his life there.
Leonardo da Vinci died on May 2, 1519, in Cloux, France. He was buried in the Chapel of Saint-Hubert at the Chateau d’Amboise.
While Leonardo da Vinci was undoubtedly a genius, the full extent of his talents was not immediately recognized. It was only in the 20th century that scholars began to fully appreciate the scope of his accomplishments. Today, Leonardo da Vinci is celebrated as one of history’s greatest thinkers and artists.
