Leonardo Da Vinci

Who Was Leonardo da Vinci?
Leonardo da Vinci was a Renaissance painter, sculptor, architect,

inventor, military engineer and draftsman — the epitome of a true
Renaissance man. Gifted with a curious mind and a brilliant
intellect, da Vinci studied the laws of science and nature, which
greatly informed his work. His drawings, paintings and other
works have influenced countless artists and engineers .
Leonardo da Vinci Biography
Leonardo da Vinci was a prominent name not only during the Italian
Renaissance, but is still recognized as one of the most well-known names in
the art world today. He was a prominent figure, intellectual, and one of the
leading artists that made a name for themselves during the Renaissance. Not
only is he known for some of the most famous pieces to come out of this
period in the art world, but throughout any period of time in art history. Of
course, The Last Supper, and The Mona Lisa, are a couple of his most famous
pieces, but Leonardo da Vinci also worked on a series of other works during
his career, and crafted plenty of pieces which have withstood the test of time,
and are still considered masterpieces to this day.
Early Life
Born in 1452 in Vinci, Italy, Leonardo da Vinci focused on the laws of

sciences and nature early in his life. This respect and knowledge allowed him
to depict these things in his artwork. They not only helped inform him as a
painter, but also as a sculptor, draftsmen, and an inventor. Not only have his
works become some of the most well known in the art world, but they also
served as inspiration to many other artists during his time, and still to this day.
Further, they made him a prominent figure during the Renaissance period, for
his forward-thinking, and distinct view on images he created during the
period.
Young Career
At the age of 14 Leonardo da Vinci worked as an apprentice to Verrocchio.

During this six year period he learned several different techniques and
technical skills. This included in metal working, working with leather, the
arts, carving, sculpting, and of course drawing and painting. By the age of 20
he had become a master craftsman of the guild, and had opened his own
studio at this young age. For a couple years he remained out of the public eye,
following the period where he was charged with and acquitted of having
committed sodomy. Up until about the age of 22, he really did not focus much
on his works.
The Last Supper
Lorenzo de Medici commissioned Leonardo da Vinci in 1482, to create a

piece for the Duke of Monaco, which was being done as a gesture of peace. In
addition to creating the piece, he wrote a letter explaining how he would be
the perfect painter, and how he could work for the court. After the piece and
his letter were accepted, Leonardo da Vinci was commissioned to work from
1482 up until 1499 by the court. Although he worked on many individual
pieces during this time, a few which did become famous pieces, it was also
during this time when he crafted one of his most well-known pieces, The Last
Supper.
Mona Lisa
Between 1505 to 1507 Leonardo da Vinci was commissioned for private

work. It was during this period that he not only created his most famous piece
of artwork, but also possibly one of the most well known, and the most
famous pieces of artwork which has ever been crafted in the world, The Mona
Lisa. There were many theories and stories behind this piece. Some included
that she had jaundice, many thought it was a piece of a pregnant woman, and
others claim it is not a woman at all, but a man dressed in drag. Although no
accounts are proven, there are many theories surrounding this piece, and this
is what gives it so much allure.
The Mona Lisa was also a constant work in progress for Leonardo da Vinci; it
was a piece he never quite finished, and was always trying to perfect. The
painting itself was never given to the commissioner who had hired him for the
work, and was kept with him until his death. It is currently in the Louvre in
Paris, and is protected by the thickest bulletproof glass. It is not only
considered to be a national treasure, it is also considered the most famous art
piece to have been created, by any artist, during any period or form of art.
More than an Artist
Leonardo da Vinci was said to be a Renaissance man, who had far more to
offer to the world during his period than just art. His talents were noted to
greatly exceed the arts of work that he created during his career. He did not
create a divide between science and art, like many humanists of the time,
which is what gave his work such depth, and so much character. Over 13,000
pages of notes documented his inventions, creations, observations, and
drawings. Architecture and anatomy, designs for flying machines, plant
studies, and other work he was involved in, were all documented in these
pages.
Most of his ideas were theoretical and very rarely if ever experimental. He
was also known to have been one of the first to document the human body in
the form of a child, as he stayed as close as possible to the actual anatomy,
and did not drift away from the sciences in his works. One of the last
commissioned works that he created during his career was a mechanical lion.
It could walk, and open its chest, which revealed a bouquet of lilies. He died
soon after in 1519.

Leonardo Da Vinci

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Leonardo Da Vinci

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Leonardo Da Vinci

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Who Was Leonardo da Vinci?

Leonardo da Vinci was a Renaissance painter, sculptor, architect,

Leonardo da Vinci Biography

Born in 1452 in Vinci, Italy, Leonardo da Vinci focused on the laws of

At the age of 14 Leonardo da Vinci worked as an apprentice to Verrocchio.

The Last Supper

Lorenzo de Medici commissioned Leonardo da Vinci in 1482, to create a

Between 1505 to 1507 Leonardo da Vinci was commissioned for private

More than an Artist

You might also like