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Leonardo da Vinci

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Leonardo da Vinci was a famous Italian thinker from the High Renaissance.

600-artist-palette
600-artist-palette

He was a polymath, which means he was an expert in many different subjects. People often call him a genius because he was a painter, scientist, and engineer.

Firma de Leonardo Da Vinci
Firma de Leonardo Da Vinci

He is most famous for his incredible paintings and his many notebooks. In these books, he wrote notes and drew pictures of many things. He studied plants, stars, and even how the human body works.

Leonardo da Vinci - Studies of the foetus in the womb
Leonardo da Vinci - Studies of the foetus in the womb

His work helped change the way people made art in Europe.

Leonardo learned his skills through hard work in a workshop.

Annunciation (Leonardo c. 1472–1476)
Annunciation (Leonardo c. 1472–1476)

When he was about 14, he became a student for Andrea del Verrocchio. This master taught him how to draw, paint, and sculpt.

Leonardo da Vinci - Virgin and Child with Ss Anne and John the Baptist
Leonardo da Vinci - Virgin and Child with Ss Anne and John the Baptist

He also learned about chemistry, metal working, and woodwork. Leonardo was so good that he even helped paint a large work called The Baptism of Christ.

Adoration of the Magi (Leonardo)
Adoration of the Magi (Leonardo)

He used new ways to use oil paint to make landscapes look real. His training helped him become a master artist by the age of 20.

Leonardo's life began in a small town called Vinci, Italy.

Geburtshaus von Leonardo da Vinci in Vinci (Toskana)
Geburtshaus von Leonardo da Vinci in Vinci (Toskana)

He was born on 15 April 1452 to a notary named Ser Piero. His mother was a woman named Caterina.

Museo leonardiano di vinci, 04
Museo leonardiano di vinci, 04

Leonardo spent much of his career moving between important cities. He worked in Florence and also spent a long time in Milan.

Coat of arms of the House Of Medici
Coat of arms of the House Of Medici

In Milan, he worked for a leader named Ludovico Sforza. Later, he went to France at the invitation of King Francis I. He lived there until he died in 1519.

Many of Leonardo's paintings are known all over the world today.

Mona Lisa, by Leonardo da Vinci, from C2RMF retouched
Mona Lisa, by Leonardo da Vinci, from C2RMF retouched

The Mona Lisa is perhaps the most famous painting ever made.

Lady with an Ermine - Leonardo da Vinci (adjusted levels)
Lady with an Ermine - Leonardo da Vinci (adjusted levels)

He also painted The Last Supper, which is a very famous religious work.

His drawing of the Vitruvian Man is also a famous icon.

In 2017, a painting called Salvator Mundi was sold for 450.3 million US dollars. This set a record for the most expensive painting ever sold at auction.

Leonardo also used his mind to imagine amazing new machines.

He drew plans for flying machines and even an armored fighting vehicle.

Leonardo da Vinci - 1860,0616.99, Studies of military tank-like machines (cropped)
Leonardo da Vinci - 1860,0616.99, Studies of military tank-like machines (cropped)

He also thought about solar power and machines for adding numbers. Some of his small inventions, like a machine for winding thread, actually entered the world.

Leonardo da Vinci - Plan of Imola - Google Art Project
Leonardo da Vinci - Plan of Imola - Google Art Project

Even though he did not publish his science notes, people still admire him. His curious way of thinking connects art with the way the world works. He showed that being an artist and a scientist can go together.

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🖼️ Images & Media (48)
File:Coat of arms of the House Of Medici.svg
Coat of arms of the House Of Medici.svg
File:600-artist-palette.svg
600-artist-palette.svg
File:Firma de Leonardo Da Vinci.svg
Firma de Leonardo Da Vinci.svg
File:Noun-technology.svg
Noun-technology.svg
File:GClef.svg
GClef.svg
File:Leonardo da Vinci - Ginevra de' Benci - Google Art Project.jpg
Leonardo da Vinci - Ginevra de' Benci -...
File:Leonardo da Vinci - Saint John the Baptist C2RMF retouched.jpg
Leonardo da Vinci - Saint John the...
File:Annunciation (Leonardo c. 1472–1476).jpg
Annunciation (Leonardo c. 1472–1476).jpg
File:Mona Lisa, by Leonardo da Vinci, from C2RMF retouched.jpg
Mona Lisa, by Leonardo da Vinci, from...
File:Leonardo da Vinci - Plan of Imola - Google Art Project.jpg
Leonardo da Vinci - Plan of Imola -...
File:Adoration of the Magi (Leonardo).jpg
Adoration of the Magi (Leonardo).jpg
File:Leonardo da Vinci - Virgin and Child with Ss Anne and John the Baptist.jpg
Leonardo da Vinci - Virgin and Child with...

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