Biography of Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci , born Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci on April 15, 1452 in Vinci, Tuscany (Italy), and died on May 2, 1519 in Amboise (France), is one of the most emblematic figures of the Renaissance. Artist, scientist, engineer, inventor, anatomist, architect and philosopher, he embodies the ideal of the universal man ( Uomo Universale ). His works, inventions and research have marked the history of humanity.
Childhood and education
Leonardo da Vinci is the illegitimate son of Ser Piero da Vinci , a notary, and Caterina , a peasant girl. He grew up in Vinci, surrounded by nature, which awakened his curiosity and sense of observation from an early age. At the age of 14, he became the apprentice of Andrea del Verrocchio , a renowned artist from Florence. In Verrocchio's workshop, he learned painting, sculpture, but also the basics of mechanics and engineering.
Artistic beginnings in Florence (1472-1482)
In 1472 he joined the Guild of Saint Luke , a prestigious association of artists and physicians. He produced his first paintings, including The Annunciation and The Baptism of Christ (where Verrocchio is said to have commissioned him to paint an angel). His talent in anatomy and perspective began to stand out.
The stay in Milan: engineer and painter (1482-1499)
In 1482 he left Florence for Milan, where he was hired by Ludovico Sforza , Duke of Milan, as an engineer, architect and painter . He designed fortifications, war machines and hydraulic innovations. It was in Milan that he painted The Last Supper in the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie , a revolutionary work that illustrates the perspective and emotion of the apostles.
Return to Florence and the creation of the Mona Lisa (1499-1516)
After the fall of the Sforzas in 1499 , Leonardo returned to Florence, where he entered into competition with Michelangelo and Raphael . He was commissioned to paint the portrait of Mona Lisa , also known as the Mona Lisa , now on display at the Louvre . This work, famous for its enigmatic smile and subtle sfumato, is considered one of the greatest paintings in history.
During this period he also explored anatomy , dissecting cadavers to perfect his anatomical sketches, including his famous Vitruvian Man , a study of the proportions of the human body. He also sketched flying machines , submarines , war chariots , and imagined inventions well ahead of their time.
Last years in France (1516-1519)
In 1516 , Francis I , King of France, invited Leonardo to the court of Château du Clos Lucé , near the Château d'Amboise . He spent his last years there, revered as a wise man and advisor to the king. He continued to refine his scientific and artistic studies.
Leonardo da Vinci died on May 2, 1519 at the age of 67 .
Artistic career
Leonardo da Vinci is best known for his pictorial masterpieces, which remain among the most famous works of art in the world:
The Mona Lisa
Painted between 1503 and 1506, it is the most famous portrait in history. Its enigmatic smile and the sfumato technique ( gradient of colors) still fascinate today.
The Last Supper
Painted between 1495 and 1498, this mural depicts Jesus' last meal with his apostles. It is admired for its composition and expressiveness.
The Vitruvian Man
This drawing, made around 1490, illustrates the ideal proportions of the human body. It symbolizes the union between art and science.
The Lady with an Ermine
Portrait of Cecilia Gallerani, mistress of Ludovico Sforza, this painting is famous for its realism and symbolism.
Inventions and scientific works
Leonardo da Vinci was a visionary. His notebooks, filled with sketches and ideas, reveal a mind ahead of his time:
Flying machines
Inspired by birds, he designed plans for flying machines, including the ornithopter .
Tanks and weapons
He designed armored tanks, catapults and other military devices.
Human anatomy
His anatomical studies, based on dissections, revolutionized the understanding of the human body.
Robotics
He designed a knight robot , capable of moving its limbs.