Leonardo da Vinci (originally Lionardo di ser Piero) was born on April 15, 1452, near the Tuscan town of Vinci and was raised by his grandparents. In 1466, he began an apprenticeship with the renowned Florentine artist Andrea del Verrocchio, where he learned not only painting but also sculpture and technical drawing. In 1472, he was admitted to the painters' guild Compagnia di S. Luca. His interests extended far beyond art, and his ability to analyze natural phenomena and document them scientifically became evident in his early sketches and notes.
From 1482 to 1499, Leonardo served Ludovico Sforza, the Duke of Milan. Here, he worked as a painter, sculptor, architect, and engineer. During this time, some of his most significant works were created, including the monumental mural The Last Supper at the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie. He also dedicated himself to technical and anatomical studies, documented in countless sketches. His research encompassed hydraulics, mechanics, and even early designs for flying machines.
After the fall of the Sforza rule, Leonardo returned to Florence in 1500 and began work on his most famous painting, the Mona Lisa. Between 1506 and 1513, he lived in Milan again, this time serving the French king. His studies became increasingly diverse: besides painting and anatomy, he intensely explored architecture, geology, and optics. In Rome, from 1513, he worked for the Medici but increasingly turned to science, as competition with artists like Michelangelo and Raphael pushed him out of the Florentine art scene's center.
In 1516, Leonardo accepted an invitation from the French King Francis I and moved to Chateau Clos Lucé in Amboise. There, he was highly esteemed as an outstanding artist and thinker. Although his physical strength waned, he remained creatively active until the end, authoring numerous manuscripts on anatomy, physics, and mechanics. He died on May 2, 1519, in Amboise and was buried in the chapel of Saint-Hubert.
Leonardo da Vinci is considered the epitome of the universal genius. His ability to merge art and science made him one of the most influential figures in history. His paintings, technical designs, and scientific studies influenced not only the Renaissance but also later generations of artists, scientists, and engineers. His legacy continues in the world's greatest museums, and his visions inspire researchers and creatives alike to this day.
Leonardo's actual name was Lionardo di ser Piero, and his now well-known name suggested that his birthplace was Vinci. This mistake is simply due to the fact that his birthplace was much smaller and thus unfamiliar to people, leading him to bear the name used today even during his lifetime.
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