Leonardo Da Vinci's Life


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Da Vinci The Artist

Leonardo lived a life filled with inspiration, but also with unhappiness. Throughout his years he went through moments of despair, but he also found glory when he was welcomed in Florence as a great painter of the day. While only a few of Leonardo's works remain intact for us to see, and while his life was long lived and sometimes filled with sadness, we are blessed with the gift of the beautiful pieces that Da Vinci left behind. The few paintings of Da Vinci's as well as the many notebooks are scattered in different places throughout the world, one of his notebooks is even owned by software tycoon, Bill Gates. While we can't all buy the actual pieces, we can still all take in a little bit of Da Vinci through art prints of his works. Many Da Vinci art prints and posters exist, and we can purchase the masterful The Last Supper, or The Mona Lisa to bring a little bit of Da Vinci into our own homes.

While Da Vinci's paintings may express numerous thoughts, and may evoke a multitude of feelings for the viewer, it becomes important to understand what was going on in the painter's life when the work was made. Even a Da Vinci poster alone may trigger a conversation about the painter, so here are the facts you'll want to know:

1452

Leonardo is born on April 15 in the village of Anchiano, near the town of Vinci.

1467

At 15 Leonardo is sent to Florence to work as apprentice to Andrea De Verrocchio.

1472

20 year-old Leonardo is accepted into the painters' guild of Florence.

1476

Leonardo is accused of sodomy; he is publicly humiliated although the charges are later dropped.

1478

The Annunciation is painted. The work, initially credited to Da Vinci, is now believed to have been painted by Lorenzo di Credi.

1481

Leonardo begins work on The Adoration of the Magi, an altarpiece for the Monastery of San Donato at Scopeto.
He sketches many studies.

1482

Leonardo moves to Milan to work in the service of the city's duke, Ludovico Sforza. He gains the title of "painter and engineer of the duke.

1483

Leonardo paints the Virgin of the Rocks.

1485

Leonardo paints Lady with an Ermine.

1495

Leonardo begins work on The Last Supper in the refectory of the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan.

1498

The Last Supper is completed.

1499

With the duke Ludovico Sforza'a fall from power, Da Vinci leaves Milan and spends a short time in Venice.

1500

Leonardo begins painting the Virgin and Child with Saint Anne, a project that he only finishes after 10 years.

1500

Leonardo returns to Florence.

1502

Leonardo begins work as senior military architect and general engineer for Cesare Borgia, son of Pope Alexander VI.

1503

Leonardo is commissioned to paint the Mona Lisa.

1503

Leonardo is commission to paint a mural for the council hall in Florence's Palazzo Vecchio, which is to be the Battle of Anghiari, a work that would remain unfinished.

1515

Leonardo paints St. John the Baptist.

1516

The king of France invites Leonardo to come work for him.

1519

May 2, Leonardo dies in France.

 


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