Leonardo

Leonardo da Vinci was born on April 15, 1452, in Vinci, a small town in the Republic of Florence, now in Italy. He was the illegitimate son of Piero da Vinci, a notary, and Caterina, a peasant woman. Little is known about his early childhood, but he was raised by his father and his wife’s family. By the age of 14, Leonardo was apprenticed to Andrea del Verrocchio, a prominent Florentine artist and sculptor. During this time, he learned various artistic techniques, including painting, sculpture, and metalworking. His early talent was evident, and he soon became a respected artist in his own right. In 1482, he moved to Milan, where he worked in the court of Ludovico Sforza, the Duke of Milan, serving as a painter, sculptor, architect, and engineer. His time in Milan saw the creation of several important works, including "The Virgin of the Rocks" and the beginning of "The Last Supper." In 1500, he returned to Florence, where he began work on the Mona Lisa. He later spent time in Rome, Bologna, and France, where he was invited by King Francis I to serve as a court painter and advisor. Leonardo died on May 2, 1519, in Clos-Lucé, France.

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