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Leonardo da Vinci
Artist and Inventor
1452 - 1519
Iron rusts from disuse; stagnant water
loses its purity and in cold weather becomes frozen;
even so does inaction sap the vigor of the mind.
—Leonardo
Leonardo da Vinci was born April 15, 1452 in Vinci, Italy. Leonardo's mastery in art, science and engineering have earned him a place among the most prolific geniuses of history. He was one of the most important artists of the Italian Renaissance, a period when the arts and sciences flourished.
At age 17, Leonardo and his father moved to Florence, where he apprenticed to Verrocchio. His brilliance soon eclipsed that of his master. In 1472 Leonardo became a member of the painter's guild of Florence, where he had contact with other great Florentine artists including Michelangelo Buonarroti.
In 1481 Leonardo left Florence for Milan to offer his service to the local Duke. During this period he painted the Virgin of the Rocks and the Last Supper. In 1499 Leonardo left Milan, traveling through Mantua, to the court of Isabella d'Este; to Venice, where he consulted on architecture from 1495 to 1499; and in 1502 and 1503 was military engineer for Cesare Borgia. After his service to the Borgias, Leonardo returned to Florence. It was during the period between 1503 and 1506, while working primarily in Florence, that he had his greatest following and painted such classics as the Mona Lisa.
Leonardo left Florence for Milan in 1506, although he returned in 1507-8 to fight for his inheritance from his Uncle. In 1509 he returned to Milan and devoted much of his time to scientific studies, and to engineering projects such as channeling the course of the Adda river. In 1512 Leonardo left Milan again, and from 1513 to 1516 was in Rome under the protection of Giuliano de Medici, the brother of Pope Leo X. Here Leonardo came into contact with Michelangelo, and another young rival, Raphael.
After the death of Giuliano dei Medici, Leonardo accepted an invitation from French friends and moved to the castle of Cloux near Amboise, where he stayed with his faithful pupil Melzi until the end of his life. Leonardo died on May 2, 1519, and was buried in the cloister of San Fiorentino in Amboise.
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Resources
• Other Artists the Lucidcafé Library
• Other Inventors the Lucidcafé Library
• Books About Leonardo da Vinci
• Videos About Leonardo da Vinci
• Leonardo da Vinci Images
• Related Websites
Other Artists in the Lucidcafé Library
- Jean-Michel Basquiat
- Paul Gauguin
- Edouard Manet
- Henri Matisse
- Michelangelo
- Claude Monet
- Thomas Moran
- Robert Motherwell
- Pablo Picasso
- Norman Rockwell
- Andy Warhol
Other Inventors in the Lucidcafé Library
- Alexander Graham Bell
- Sir Henry Bessemer
- Thomas Alva Edison
- Benjamin Franklin
- Nicola Tesla
- Orville Wright
- Wilbur Wright
Books About Leonardo da Vinci
- The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci - Author: Leonardo Da Vinci, Irma Anne Richter
Extensive excerpts from the great artist and inventor's notebooks. 417 pages
CLICK HERE to purchase this Paperback edition of "The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci" - Leonardo da Vinci (Famous People Series) - Author: Ibi Lepscky, Paolo Cardoni (Illustrator)
Describes Leonardo's childhood including his early interests in engineering, architecture, natural science, and painting.
CLICK HERE to purchase this Paperback edition of "Lepscky's Leonardo da Vinci" - Leonardo da Vinci - Author: Diane Stanley
Diane Stanley blends lively, informative storytelling with exquisite illustrations to convey the life of Leonardo da Vinci, whose far-sighted inventions included the submarine, an air cooling system, a telescope, and even a flying machine! Full-color.
CLICK HERE to purchase this Hardcover edition of "Stanley's Leonardo da Vinci" - Leonardo da Vinci - Author: Kenneth Clark
Clark's study of Leonardo is generally considered the clearest introduction available to Leonardo's the work. This updated edition contains 128 plates; a revised list of dates; an updated bibliography; and a new introduction.
CLICK HERE to purchase this Paperback edition of "Clark's Leonardo da Vinci" - Leonardo da Vinci: The Anatomy of Man - Author: Martin Clayton, Ron Philo
Forty-one of da Vinci's finest anatomical drawings, chosen from the collection at the Royal Library of Windsor Castle, display the Renaissance artist's drawing mastery and his insatiable curiosity about the human anatomy. The drawings, dating from 1489 to c. 1513, show the remarkable evolution, of his drawing style as well as his anatomical knowledge. Images of great beauty and scientific interest, they herald Leonardo as one of the most accomplished artists in the history of anatomy. 141 pages
CLICK HERE to purchase this Hardcover edition of "The Anatomy of Man" - Leonardo da Vinci: Nature Studies - Author: Carlo Pedretti, Kenneth Clark
A sampling of da Vinci's nature studies, drawn from the collection at the Royal Library of Windsor Castle.
CLICK HERE to purchase this Hardcover edition of "Nature Studies" - Leonardo da Vinci: A Singular Vision - Author: Leonardo, Martin Clayton
A comprehensive examination of Leonardo's drawing technique from Martin Clayton of the Windsor Castle Royal Library
CLICK HERE to purchase this Hardcover edition of "A Singular Vision" - Mystery of the Mona Lisa - Author: Rina De' Firenze
This fictionalized account of Leonardo's life provides the plot and foundation for this novel's unusual examination of the Mona Lisa's origins.
CLICK HERE to purchase this Hardcover edition of "The Notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci"
Videos About Leonardo Da Vinci
- Life of Leonardo Da Vinci - Producer: Questar Inc.
A comprehensive overview of Leonardo's life and work. Great sets and costumes. Superb!
CLICK HERE to purchase this Video edition of "Biography - Leonardo Da Vinci" - Biography - Leonardo Da Vinci (1997) - Producer: A&E Biography Series
A&E's brief overview of Leonardo hits upon his most famous works, yet leaves out many areas of interest.
CLICK HERE to purchase this Video edition of "Biography - Leonardo Da Vinci"
Related Websites
- Leonardo@Fact-Index.com
- Boston Museum of Science Leonardo Page
- Leonardo Posters and Prints
- Leonardo at WebMuseum
- The Leonardo Museum at Vinci, Italy, his home town
- da Vinci at the Artchive
- MacTutor History of Mathematics Profile
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Copyright © 1995-2008 Robin Chew
Article written by Robin Chew - April 1996
