Biography of Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci was born April 15, 1452 and died May 2, 1519. In his 67 years of life he was able to become a master in a wide range of subject's other then becoming one of the Greatest Painters in History. Some of his many talents include becoming an established Inventor, Sculptor, Mathematician, architect designer, writer, musician and of course a Great Painter for which he is most famous for. This self described Renaissance Man is still to this day regarded as one of the most diversely talented person to ever walk on the face of this Earth.

First Period of Leonardo da Vinci

 Leonardo was raised by his Mother and moved to Florence, Italy in 1466 where he first started working under Verroccio and quickly made friends with Lorenzo de Credi, Botticelli and Ghirlandaio who were already famous Artists during at this time period. Verroccio was so impressed with Leonado da Vinci's impressive painting skills at such an early age, he let his new apprentice paint the now famous Angel along with a few landscape scenes in Verrocchio's 'Baptism of Christ' Masterpiece Painting. After six successful years working under Verroccio, Leonardo finally was able to register with the Painter's Guild in 1477. One of his most famous paintings during this period is ironically the unfinished 'Adoration of the Magi' painting that was still commissioned by the Monks of San Donato a Scopeto.

 Middle Period of Leonardo da Vinci

After Leonardo da vince compled his apprenticeship in Florence, Leonardo moved to Milan in 1482 to the court of Ludovico Sforza which he remained for the next 16 years. During this period he was the court artist which he remained for several of those years. This is also the time when he was known for painting the Famous Artworks of Trattato della pittura and one of the two famous Paintings of Madonna of the Rocks.  In 1488 Leonardo da Vinci became interested in Art Culture and drew up his first plans for the tambour and dome for the cathedral within the court of Milan. The township was so impressed with Leonardo da vinci's drawings and ideas, he was hired in 1490 as the consulting engineer to over-see the restoration of both the Cathedral at Paris and the Cathedral at Piacenza.

In 1495 Leonardo began work on the very famous painting Fresno of the Last Supper and it wasn't completed until 1498. unfortunately even though this painting still exists, it has been badly damaged over the years. In 1999 the fresno of the last supper underwent extensive restoration but not even that was enough to bright back the brilliant colors that only Leonardo da Vinci could paint. After a brief stint when Leonardo entered the service of Cesare Borgia as a Military Engineer, Leonardo returned to Milan in 1506 and was engaged by Charles d'Amboise coming from no other then the French King Louis X11. During this time period he was able to put many of his skills he had already mastered including his architect skills, engineering and the various scientific experiments in botany, geology, hydraulics, mechanics and mathematics.

last Period of Leonardo da Vinci

 in 1513 Leonardo headed to Rome, Italy where his good friend and the new elected medici Pope known as Leo-x and his brother Giuliano now resided. The Artist's competition was very fierce within the Vatican where he now competed with the likes of Michelangelo and Raphael. Leonardo did various engineering and architectural projects throughout the Cathedral as we'll found time to work on some of his most valuable paintings. The famous painting St. John the baptist (louvre) was one such painting done during this time. Of course it goes without saying the the Most famous Painting in the World, The Mona Lisa painting, was also painted in this this period. Around 1515, Leonardo moved to the Castle of Cloux which is outside of Amboise, and lived the remainder of his life surrounded by his Life's Work which he continued to his last days here on earth. 

Leonardo da Vinci is arguably the Most Famous painter of All Time as we'll as Painted The Most Famous Painting Ever!

Below is a few Videos about this complex genious, Leonardo Da Vinci

List of 100 Paintings by Leonardo Da Vinci Click on any painting below to see a more detailed picture.