Leonardo da Vinci

GOne of the greatest geniuses of all time was Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519), Italian painter, sculptor, architect,mathematician, engineer and inventor, whose outstanding intellect epitomized the Renaissance humanist ideal. Blessed with amazing versatility, he was not only a highly talented artist but also an excellent scientist. His most famous paintings are the ‘Mona Lisa’ and ‘The Last Supper’. His ideas were centuries ahead of his time, and his scientific studies anticipated many of the developments of modern science.

Leonardo da Vinci was born on April 14,1452 in Vinci, a village in the mountainous Italian region of Tuscany. His mother was Caterina, a peasant woman, and his father was Ser Piero, a rich notary. However, they were not married, and Leonardo stayed with his mother. When he was two, his father brought up there. Later, Ser Piero moved to Florence, where he married and settled down. It was decided that young Leonardo would stay on in Vinci, where he was raised by his grandparents and his uncle Francesco.

Francesco, only a teenager himself, proved to be a good companion for the little boy. He took him to the family's fields and vineyards and partiently answered all his questions. The only formal education Leonardo received was from the local priest, who taught him to read and write and count using an abacus. He spent much of his time wandering though the courtyside and studying nature. By now he felt completely alienated from his parents, as both had separate lives and families in which he had no part. He filled this voice by concentrating on the world around him. He studied the plants and animals he saw and sketched them. When Leonardo was 14, his grandfather died and his uncle Francesco got married. It was decided to send Leonardo to live with his father. Thus, he left Vinci and travelled to Florence. On seeing his son's sketches, Ser Piero realised that he had artistic talet. He apprenticed him to a well-known artist and sculptor, Andrea del Verocchio. From the next six years, Leonardo learned a range of technical skills, including metal working, leather arts, carpentry, drawing and sculpting.

In 1452, at the age of 20, Leonardo qualified as a master artist in the Guild of Saint Luke and established his own workshop with his father's support. He was commissioned to do many art works, both independently and with Verocchio.

In 1482, Leonardo was invited to join the service of Duke of Milan. He spent 17 years at the Duke's court in Milan. During these years he reached new heights of scientific and artistic achievement. The Duke gave Leonardo numerous painting and sculpting assignments and made him design elaborate court festivals. Further, Leonardo was given other jobs that tapped his scientific genius – jobs that involved designing weapons, buildings and machinery.

From 1485 to 1490, Leonardo produced studies on a variety of subjects ranging from geometry and mechanics to municipal construction, canals and architecture (designing everything from churches to fortresses). He recorded his studies in meticulously illustrated notebooks (which are now prized exhibits in museums). His studies from this period contain designs for advanced weapons, including a tank, various combat devices and submarines. He was fascinated by the phenomenon of flight and extensively studied the flight of birds. He designed plans for several flying machines, including a glider and a machine resembling a modern helicopter. Also during this period, Leonardo produced his first anatomical studies. His Milan workshop was a beehive of activity, buzzing with
apprentices and students.

In 1499, the Duke was defeated in a battle with invading French troops, and had to flee the city. Leonardo left Milan and sought asylum in Venice, where he helped the city authorities as a military adviser, devising methods to defend the city from naval attack.

Over the next 16 years, Leonardo worked and traveled  throughout Italy for a number  of employers. In 1516, King Francis I of France appointed
him his court painter. But by now he was afflicted by probems of age and failing health.

On May 2, 1519, the great artist breathed his last.