Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci is one of the world’s greatest thinkers, artists and philosophers.
Seeking after perfection, he created rare masterpieces of art such as ‘The Mona Lisa’ and The
Last Supper.’
In addition to art, Da Vinci studied all aspects of life from anatomy to mathematics and
astronomy; his far-reaching investigations and discoveries sought to show an underlying unity of
the universe. Da Vinci is considered to be a key person in the birth of the European Renaissance,
which saw an emergence of new ideas, scientific discoveries and the creation of beautiful art.
Leonardo was born in 1452(one thousand four hundred fifty-two). He was an illegitimate
son of a Florentine noble and peasant woman. He grew up in Vinci, Italy. In his formative years,
he developed a love of nature and from an early age began to display his remarkable academic
and artistic talents.
In 1466(one thousand four hundred sixty-six), he moved to Florence where he entered the
workshop of Verrocchio. Initially, his formative style reflected his teacher but he soon developed
an artistic sense which went far beyond his master’s rigid style. His first work of significance
was the “Adoration of the Magi” commissioned by monks of San Donato a Scopeto. Although
unfinished, the work was a masterpiece and introduced several new ideas.
In 1482(one thousand four hundred eighty-two), Leonardo went to the court of Ludovico
Sforza in Milan, where he stayed for 16 years, where he continued painting and also branched
out into other interest such as engineering and anatomy.”
After that, in 1499(one thousand four hundred ninety-nine), Leonardo was forced to
return in Florence. Here, he paints one of the world’s most famous and intriguing pictures,
„Mona Lisa” between 1503(one thousand five hundred three) and 1507(one thousand five
hundred seven).
In 1515(one thousand' five hundred fiffteen), Da Vinci left to settle at the castle of Cloux,
near Amboise by the kind invitation of Francis I of France. Here Da Vinci, spent his remaining
years, free to pursue his own studies. He died in 1519(one thousand five hundred nineteen)
leaving behind one of the greatest body of artistic and scientific works.