Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci
- Born:
- April 15, 1452, Vinci, Republic of Florence (present-day Italy)
- Died:
- May 2, 1519, Amboise, Kingdom of France
- Nationality:
- Italian
- Profession(s):
- Polymath: Painter, Sculptor, Architect, Musician, Scientist, Inventor, Anatomist, Geologist, Cartographer, Botanist, and Writer.
Early Life and Education
- Born out of wedlock to Piero da Vinci, a notary, and Caterina, a peasant woman.
- Received informal education in Vinci, learning reading, writing, and arithmetic.
- Apprenticed to the renowned Florentine artist Andrea del Verrocchio around 1466.
- Mastered a wide range of skills including painting, sculpting, and mechanical arts during his apprenticeship.
Career and Major Achievements
- Admitted to the Guild of Saint Luke in Florence in 1472, marking his official entry into the art world.
- Worked in Florence, Milan, Rome, and France throughout his career.
- Served as a military engineer and architect for Cesare Borgia.
- Made significant contributions to the fields of anatomy, engineering, and optics through detailed studies and innovative designs.
- His investigations of the human body through dissections advanced anatomical knowledge.
Notable Works
- Paintings:
- Mona Lisa
- The Last Supper
- Vitruvian Man
- Salvator Mundi
- Annunciation
- Inventions and Engineering Designs:
- Flying machines (Ornithopters)
- Armored fighting vehicles
- Parachutes
- Diving suits
Legacy and Impact
Leonardo da Vinci is considered one of the greatest polymaths of the Renaissance. His artistic masterpieces, scientific inquiries, and innovative inventions have had a profound and lasting impact on art, science, and technology. Exploring the "biography of Leonardo da Vinci book" reveals the breadth and depth of his genius, cementing his position as a universal Renaissance figure.