Leonardo da Vinci, the largest figure of Italian High Renaissance- an excellent example of a universal person, the owner of many-sided talent: he was not only a great representative of art - a painter, sculptor, musician, writer, but also a scientist, architect, technician, engineer, inventor. He was born on April 15, 1452, not far from Florence, in the small town of Vinci (hence his name). Leonardo was the son of a wealthy notary and a peasant woman (many biographers believe that he was illegitimate) and was raised by his father from an early age. He had hopes that the grown-up Leonardo would follow in his footsteps, however social life didn't seem interesting to him. At the same time, it is possible that the artist’s craft was chosen for the reason that the professions of lawyer and doctor were not available to illegitimate children.
Be that as it may, after he and his father moved to Florence (1469), Leonardo became an apprentice in the workshop of Andrea del Verrocchio, one of the most famous Florentine painters of that period. The technologies of the artist’s work in the Florentine workshop in those days implied technical experiments. A rapprochement with Paolo Toscanelli, an astronomer, was another factor in awakening Da Vinci's serious interest in various sciences. It is known that in 1472 he was a member of the Florentine Guild of Artists, and in 1473 his first dated independent work is dated artistic work. A few years later (in 1476 or 1478) da Vinci had his own workshop. Literally from the first paintings (“Annunciation”, “ Madonna Benoit", "Adoration of the Magi") he declared himself as great painter, A further creativity only increased his fame.
Since the beginning of the 80s. The biography of Leonardo da Vinci is associated with Milan, work with Duke Louis Sforza as a painter, sculptor, military engineer, organizer of festivities, and inventor of various mechanical “miracles” that made his master famous. Da Vinci is actively working on his own projects in various fields (for example, on an underwater bell, an aircraft, etc.), but Sforza does not show any interest in them. Da Vinci lived in Milan from 1482 to 1499, until the troops of Louis XII captured the city and forced him to leave for Venice. In 1502, Cesare Borgia took him into his service as a military engineer and architect.
In 1503 the artist returned to Florence. It is customary to date the painting of perhaps his most famous painting, “Mona Lisa” (“La Gioconda”), to this year (tentatively). During 1506-1513. da Vinci again lives and works in Milan, this time he serves the French crown (the north of Italy was then under the control of Louis XII). In 1513 he moved to Rome, where his work was patronized by the Medici.
The last stage of the biography of Leonardo da Vinci is associated with France, where he moved in January 1516 at the invitation of King Francis I. Having settled in the castle of Clos Luce, he received the official title of the first royal artist, architect and engineer, and became the recipient of a large annuity. While working on the plan for the royal apartments, he mainly acted in the guise of an adviser and sage. Two years after arriving in France, he became seriously ill, it was difficult for him to move alone, his right arm became numb, and the next year he fell ill completely. On May 2, 1519, the great “universal man,” surrounded by his disciples, died; He was buried in the nearby royal castle of Amboise.
In addition to works that are generally recognized masterpieces (“Adoration of the Magi”, “ Last Supper», « Holy family", "Madonna Litti", "Mona Lisa"), da Vinci left behind about 7,000 unrelated drawings, sheets of notes, which after the master's death were brought together by his students into several treatises, giving an idea of the worldview of Leonardo da Vinci . He is credited with numerous discoveries in the field of art theory, mechanics, natural sciences, and mathematics, which made a significant contribution to the development of sciences and engineering. Leonardo da Vinci became the embodiment of the ideal of the Italian Renaissance and was perceived by subsequent generations as a unique symbol of the creative aspirations inherent in that time.
Leonardo di Ser Piero da Vinci is a man of Renaissance art, sculptor, inventor, painter, philosopher, writer, scientist, polymath (universal person).
The future genius was born as a result love affair noble Piero da Vinci and the girl Katerina (Katarina). By social norms At that time, the marriage of these people was impossible due to the low origin of Leonardo’s mother. After the birth of her first child, she was married to a potter, with whom Katerina lived the rest of her life. It is known that she gave birth to four daughters and a son from her husband.
Portrait of Leonardo da Vinci
The first-born Piero da Vinci lived with his mother for three years. Leonardo's father, immediately after his birth, married a rich representative of a noble family, but his legal wife was never able to give him an heir. Three years after the marriage, Pierrot took his son to him and began raising him. Leonardo's stepmother died 10 years later while trying to give birth to an heir. Pierrot remarried, but quickly became a widower again. In total, Leonardo had four stepmothers, as well as 12 paternal half-siblings.
Creativity and inventions of da Vinci
The parent apprenticed Leonardo to the Tuscan master Andrea Verrocchio. During his studies with his mentor, son Pierrot learned not only the art of painting and sculpture. Young Leonardo studied the humanities and technical sciences, the craftsmanship of leather, the basics of working with metal and chemical reagents. All this knowledge was useful to Da Vinci in life.
Leonardo received confirmation of his qualifications as a master at the age of twenty, after which he continued to work under the supervision of Verrocchio. The young artist was involved in minor work on his teacher’s paintings, for example, he painted background landscapes and clothes minor characters. Leonardo only got his own workshop in 1476.
Drawing "Vitruvian Man" by Leonardo da Vinci In 1482, da Vinci was sent by his patron Lorenzo de' Medici to Milan. During this period, the artist worked on two paintings, which were never completed. In Milan, Duke Lodovico Sforza enrolled Leonardo in the court staff as an engineer. The high-ranking person was interested in defensive devices and devices for entertaining the courtyard. Da Vinci had the opportunity to develop his talent as an architect and his abilities as a mechanic. His inventions turned out to be an order of magnitude better than those proposed by his contemporaries.
The engineer stayed in Milan under Duke Sforza for about seventeen years. During this time, Leonardo painted the paintings “Madonna in the Grotto” and “Lady with an Ermine”, created his most famous drawing “The Vitruvian Man”, made a clay model of the equestrian monument of Francesco Sforza, painted the wall of the refectory of the Dominican monastery with the composition “The Last Supper”, made a number of anatomical sketches and drawings of devices.
Leonardo's engineering talent also came in handy after his return to Florence in 1499. He entered the service of Duke Cesare Borgia, who relied on Da Vinci's ability to create military mechanisms. The engineer worked in Florence for about seven years, after which he returned to Milan. By that time, he had already completed work on his most famous painting, which is now kept in the Louvre Museum.
The master's second Milanese period lasted six years, after which he left for Rome. In 1516 Leonardo went to France, where he spent his recent years. On the journey, the master took with him Francesco Melzi, a student and main heir artistic style da Vinci.
Portrait of Francesco Melzi Despite the fact that Leonardo spent only four years in Rome, it is in this city that there is a museum named after him. In three halls of the institution you can get acquainted with devices built according to Leonardo’s drawings, examine copies of paintings, photos of diaries and manuscripts.
The Italian devoted most of his life to engineering and architectural projects. His inventions were both military and peaceful in nature. Leonardo is known as the developer of tank prototypes, aircraft, self-propelled carriage, searchlight, catapult, bicycle, parachute, mobile bridge, machine gun. Some of the inventor's drawings still remain a mystery to researchers.
Drawings and sketches of some of Leonardo da Vinci's inventions In 2009, the Discovery TV channel aired the series of films “Da Vinci Apparatus.” Each of the ten episodes of the documentary series was devoted to the construction and testing of mechanisms based on Leonardo's original drawings. The film's technicians tried to recreate the inventions Italian genius using materials from his era.
Personal life
The master's personal life was kept in the strictest confidence. Leonardo used a code for entries in his diaries, but even after deciphering, researchers received little reliable information. There is a version that the reason for secrecy was da Vinci’s unconventional orientation.
The basis of the theory that the artist loved men was the guesswork of researchers based on indirect facts. At a young age, the artist was involved in a case of sodomy, but it is not known for certain in what capacity. After this incident, the master became very secretive and stingy with comments about his personal life.
Leonardo's possible lovers include some of his students, the most famous of whom is Salai. The young man was endowed with an effeminate appearance and became a model for several paintings by da Vinci. John the Baptist is one of Leonardo's surviving works for which Szalai sat.
There is a version that the “Mona Lisa” was also painted from this sitter, dressed in a woman’s dress. It should be noted that there is some physical similarity between the people depicted in the paintings “Mona Lisa” and “John the Baptist”. The fact remains that da Vinci bequeathed his artistic masterpiece namely Salai.
Historians also include Francesco Melzi among Leonardo's possible lovers.
There is another version of the secret of the Italian’s personal life. It is believed that Leonardo had a romantic relationship with Cecilia Gallerani, who is supposedly depicted in the portrait “Lady with an Ermine”. This woman was the favorite of the Duke of Milan, the owner of a literary salon, and a patron of the arts. She entered young artist into the circle of Milanese bohemia.
Fragment of the painting “Lady with an Ermine” Among Da Vinci's notes was found a draft of a letter addressed to Cecilia, which began with the words: “My beloved goddess...”. Researchers suggest that the portrait “Lady with an Ermine” was painted with clear signs of unspent feelings for the woman depicted in it.
Some researchers believe that great Italian I didn’t know carnal love at all. He was not attracted to men or women in a physical sense. In the context of this theory, it is assumed that Leonardo led the life of a monk who did not give birth to descendants, but left a great legacy.
Death and grave
Modern researchers have concluded that probable cause death of the artist - stroke. Da Vinci died at the age of 67 in 1519. Thanks to the memoirs of his contemporaries, it is known that by that time the artist was already suffering from partial paralysis. Leonardo couldn't move right hand, as researchers believe, due to a stroke suffered in 1517.
Despite the paralysis, the master continued to be active creative life, resorting to the help of student Francesco Melzi. Da Vinci's health deteriorated, and by the end of 1519 it was already difficult for him to walk without assistance. This evidence is consistent with the theoretical diagnosis. Scientists believe that a repeated attack of cerebrovascular accident in 1519 ended life path famous Italian.
Monument to Leonardo da Vinci in Milan, Italy At the time of his death, the master was in the castle of Clos-Lucé near the city of Amboise, where he lived for the last three years of his life. In accordance with Leonardo's will, his body was buried in the gallery of the Church of Saint-Florentin.
Unfortunately, the master's grave was destroyed during the Huguenot wars. The church in which the Italian was buried was looted, after which it fell into severe neglect and was demolished by the new owner of the Amboise castle, Roger Ducos, in 1807.
After the destruction of the Saint-Florentin chapel, remains from many burials different years were mixed and buried in the garden. Since the mid-nineteenth century, researchers have made several attempts to identify the bones of Leonardo da Vinci. Innovators in this matter focused on intravital description masters and selected the most suitable fragments from the found remains. They were studied for some time. The work was led by archaeologist Arsen Housse. He also found fragments of a tombstone, presumably from da Vinci’s grave, and a skeleton in which some fragments were missing. These bones were reburied in the reconstructed artist's tomb in the Chapel of Saint-Hubert on the grounds of the Castle of Amboise.
In 2010, a team of researchers led by Silvano Vinceti was going to exhume the remains of the Renaissance master. It was planned to identify the skeleton using genetic material taken from the burials of Leonardo's paternal relatives. Italian researchers were unable to obtain permission from the castle owners to carry out the necessary work.
On the site where the Church of Saint-Florentin used to be located, at the beginning of the last century a granite monument was erected, marking the four hundredth anniversary of the death of the famous Italian. The engineer's reconstructed grave and stone monument with his bust are among the most popular attractions in Amboise.
The secrets of da Vinci's paintings
Leonardo's work has occupied the minds of art critics, religious researchers, historians and ordinary people for more than four hundred years. The works of the Italian artist have become an inspiration for people of science and creativity. There are many theories that reveal the secrets of da Vinci's paintings. The most famous of them says that when writing his masterpieces, Leonardo used a special graphic code.
Using a device of several mirrors, researchers were able to find out that the secret of the looks of the heroes from the paintings “Mona Lisa” and “John the Baptist” lies in the fact that they are looking at a creature in a mask, reminiscent of an alien. The secret code in Leonardo's notes was also deciphered using an ordinary mirror.
Hoaxes surrounding the work of the Italian genius have led to the emergence of a number of works of art, authored by the writer. His novels became bestsellers. In 2006, the film “The Da Vinci Code” was released, based on work of the same name Brown. The film was met with a wave of criticism from religious organizations, but set box office records in its first month of release.
Lost and unfinished works
Not all of the master’s works have survived to this day. The works that have not survived include: a shield with a painting in the form of the head of Medusa, a sculpture of a horse for the Duke of Milan, a portrait of the Madonna with a spindle, the painting “Leda and the Swan” and the fresco “The Battle of Anghiari”.
Modern researchers know about some of the master’s paintings thanks to surviving copies and memoirs of da Vinci’s contemporaries. For example, the fate of the original work “Leda and the Swan” is still unknown. Historians believe that the painting may have been destroyed in the mid-seventeenth century on the orders of the Marquise de Maintenon, wife of Louis XIV. Sketches made by Leonardo's hand and several copies of the canvas made by Leonardo have survived to this day. by different artists.
The painting showed a young naked woman in the arms of a swan, with babies hatched from huge eggs playing at her feet. When creating this masterpiece, the artist was inspired by a famous mythical plot. It is interesting that the painting based on the story of Leda’s copulation with Zeus, who took the form of a swan, was painted not only by da Vinci.
Leonardo's lifetime rival also painted a painting dedicated to this ancient myth. Buonarotti's painting suffered the same fate as da Vinci's work. Paintings by Leonardo and Michelangelo simultaneously disappeared from the collection of the French royal house.
Among the unfinished works brilliant Italian The painting “Adoration of the Magi” stands out. The canvas was commissioned by the Augustinian monks in 1841, but remained unfinished due to the master’s departure to Milan. The customers found another artist, and Leonardo saw no point in continuing to work on the painting.
Fragment of the painting “Adoration of the Magi” Researchers believe that the composition of the canvas has no analogues in Italian painting. The painting depicts Mary with the newborn Jesus and the Magi, and behind the pilgrims are riders on horses and the ruins of a pagan temple. There is an assumption that Leonardo depicted himself at the age of 29 among the men who came to the son of God.
- In 2009, researcher of religious mysteries Lynn Picknett published the book “Leonardo da Vinci and the Brotherhood of Zion,” naming the famous Italian one of the masters of a secret religious order.
- It is believed that da Vinci was a vegetarian. He wore clothes made of linen, neglecting outfits made of leather and natural silk.
- A group of researchers plans to isolate Leonardo's DNA from the master's surviving personal belongings. Historians also claim to be close to finding da Vinci's maternal relatives.
- The Renaissance was a time when noble women in Italy were addressed with the words “my lady”, in Italian - “ma donna”. IN colloquial speech the expression was shortened to "monna". This means that the title of the painting “Mona Lisa” can be literally translated as “Lady Lisa”.
- Rafael Santi called da Vinci his teacher. He visited Leonardo's studio in Florence and tried to adopt some features of his artistic style. Raphael Santi also called Michelangelo Buonarroti his teacher. The three artists mentioned are considered the main geniuses of the Renaissance.
- Australian enthusiasts have created the largest traveling exhibition inventions of the great architect. The exhibition was developed with the participation of the Leonardo da Vinci Museum in Italy. The exhibition has already visited six continents. During its operation, five million visitors were able to see and touch the works of the most famous engineer of the Renaissance.
Name: Leonardo da Vinci
Place of birth: near Vinci, Florentine Republic
Place of death: Castle of Clos-Lucé, near Amboise, Duchy of Touraine, Republic of Florence
Age: 67 years old
Leonardo da Vinci - biography
Leonardo da Vinci was called a “universal man,” that is, a person whose activities and achievements were not limited to a single sphere. He was an artist, musician, writer, the most prominent representative of the art of the Renaissance. But the private, personal life of a genius is covered in secrets and mysteries. Perhaps this is due to a lack of information, or maybe it’s all about the mysterious figure of the Italian master.
Leonardo da Vinci - childhood
Leonardo da Vinci, whose biography is of great interest to fans of this greatest artist born on April 15, 1452 near the city, whose name today is associated primarily with the names of great painters.
The future artist was born near Florence, in the middle of the 15th century. His father was a notary, and his mother was a peasant. Such a misalliance could not exist, and soon Leonardo’s father found himself a more suitable wife - a girl from a noble family. Until the age of three, the child lived with his mother, and after that his father took him into his family. All subsequent years, the painter tried to recreate the image of his mother on canvas.
For some time, his father fiercely sought to instill in Leonardo a love for the family business. But his efforts were in vain: his son was not interested in the laws of society.
At the age of fourteen, Leonardo went to Florence and became an apprentice to the sculptor and painter Andrea del Verrocchio. At that time, Florence was the intellectual center of Italy, which allowed the young man to combine work with study. He learned the basics of drawing and chemistry. But most of all he was interested in drawing, sculpture and modeling.
The main feature of the Renaissance masterpieces is a return to the ideals of Antiquity. During this era, the ancient Greek canons received new life. Students and seasoned masters discussed and argued about revolutionary events in culture and art. Leonardo did not take part in these disputes. He worked more and more, spending days in the workshop.
It would be unfair to miss one of the important facts in the biography of Leonardo da Vinci. One day his teacher received an order. The painting “The Baptism of Christ” had to be painted. According to the traditions of that time, he entrusted two fragments to his young student. Leonardo was commissioned to depict the angels.
When the painting was ready, Verrocchio looked at the canvas and threw down his brush in anger. Some fragments clearly indicated that the student had significantly outgrown the teacher in his skill. From then until the last hour of his life, Andrea del Verrocchio did not return to painting.
In the 15th century, there was an association of artists in Italy called the Guild of St. Luke. Membership in this guild allowed local artists to open their own workshops and sell their works on the official market. In addition, all members of the association were provided with financial and social support. As a rule, these were experienced and mature artists, sculptors and printers. Leonardo da Vinci joined the guild at the age of twenty.
Leonardo da Vinci - personal life
Little is known about the personal life of the titanic figure of the Renaissance. There are sources that talk about accusations of sodomy, that is, deviant sexual behavior. The accusation was based on an anonymous denunciation. But in those days in Florence, denunciation and slander flourished with violent force. The artist was arrested, kept in prison and released two months later due to lack of testimony.
In Florence, during the time of da Vinci, there was an organization called the “Officers of the Night.” The servants of this organization zealously monitored the moral character of the townspeople and actively fought against sodomists. For some time the painter was under the supervision of these fighters for morality. But this is according to one version.
And according to another, da Vinci was not accused of anything like that at all, and he was present at the trial solely as a witness. There is a third version, whose adherents claim that the sexual preferences of the great master were far from the generally accepted norm; the power and influence of his father allowed him to avoid imprisonment.
But be that as it may, there is no information in the biography about the painter’s relationships with women. According to the memoirs of contemporaries, he long time lived with young people. Sigmund Freud also did not stand aside from the debate about the sex life of the genius and conducted his own investigation. The famous psychotherapist was sure of Da Vinci's homosexuality.
For almost thirty years, Gian Giacomo Caprotti, better known today as Salai, lived in the maestro’s workshop. When Leonardo da Vinci was already a fully accomplished master, a boy of angelic beauty appeared in his house. His image is present in many masterpieces. But he was not just a model. Officially, he is considered a student. Salai's paintings were not widely known.
But according to the entries in da Vinci’s diary, the aspiring artist was not distinguished by honesty and, at times, behaved like the last scoundrel. What made the great painter keep this man next to him is not known. But it was unlikely that these were paternal feelings or admiration for the young talent. Da Vinci's student did not write anything great, and he was not an orphan. All that remains is guesswork.
More than one painter emerged from the studio of Leonardo da Vinci. The master devoted a lot of time, first of all, to training young people. According to his methodology, the aspiring artist had to first study the shapes of objects, learn to copy the works of the master, examine the creations of other experienced authors, and only then begin to create his own work.
What kind of relationship a genius had with his followers in his free time from teaching is not so important. The important thing is that the master’s lessons were not in vain, and they subsequently managed to create new image male body, sensuality and love.
The end of the life of Leonardo Da Vinci
Leonardo Da Vicci passed away on May 2, 1519 at the age of 67 years. His body was interred in a place near Ambauze. All his drawings and tools were transferred to his favorite student Francesco Melzi. All the paintings were inherited by his other student, Salai.
Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) Leonardo da VinciLeonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci (April 15, 1452 - May 2, 1519) was a famous Italian Renaissance architect, musician, inventor, engineer, sculptor and a brilliant artist. He has been described as the archetype of the "Renaissance man" and universal genius. Leonardo is widely known for his unique paintings such as the Mona Lisa and the Last Supper. He is also famous for his many inventions. In addition, he helped in the development of anatomy, astronomy and urban planning.
During the Renaissance there were many brilliant sculptors, artists, musicians, and inventors. Leonardo da Vinci stands out against their background. He created musical instruments, he owns many engineering inventions, wrote paintings, sculptures and much more.
His external characteristics are also amazing: tall height, angelic appearance and extraordinary strength. Let's meet the genius Leonardo da Vinci, short biography will tell you his main achievements.
Biography facts
He was born near Florence in the small town of Vinci. Leonardo da Vinci was the illegitimate son of a famous and wealthy notary. His mother is an ordinary peasant woman. Since the father had no other children, at the age of 4 he took little Leonardo to live with him. The boy demonstrated his extraordinary intelligence and friendly character from the very beginning. early age, and he quickly became a favorite in the family.
To understand how the genius of Leonardo da Vinci developed, a brief biography can be presented as follows:
At the age of 14, he entered Verrocchio's workshop, where he studied drawing and sculpture.
In 1480 he moved to Milan, where he founded the Academy of Arts.
In 1499, he left Milan and began moving from city to city, where he built defensive structures. During this same period, his famous rivalry with Michelangelo began.
Since 1513 he has been working in Rome. Under Francis I, he becomes a court sage.
Leonardo died in 1519. As he believed, nothing he started was ever completed.
Creative path
The work of Leonardo da Vinci, whose brief biography was outlined above, can be divided into three stages.
Early period. Many works of the great painter were unfinished, such as the “Adoration of the Magi” for the monastery of San Donato. During this period, the paintings “Benois Madonna” and “Annunciation” were painted. Despite his young age, the painter already demonstrated high skill in his paintings.
Mature period Leonardo's creativity took place in Milan, where he planned to make a career as an engineer. Most popular work, written at this time, was “The Last Supper”, at the same time he began work on “Mona Lisa”.
IN late period
creativity, the painting “John the Baptist” and a series of drawings “The Flood” were created.
Painting always complemented science for Leonardo da Vinci, as he sought to capture reality.
The most famous paintings Leonardo
Annunciation (1475-1480) - Uffizi, Florence, Italy
Ginevra de Benci (~1475) - National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, USA.
Benois Madonna (1478-1480) - Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia
Adoration of the Magi (1481) - Uffizi, Florence, Italy
Cecilia Gallerani with Ermine (1488-90) - Czartoryski Museum, Krakow, Poland
Musician (~1490) - Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, Milan, Italy
Madonna Litta, (1490-91) - Hermitage, St. Petersburg, Russia
La Belle Ferroniere, (1495-1498) - Louvre, Paris, France
The Last Supper (1498) - Convent of Station Maria Delle Grazie, Milan, Italy
Madonna of the Grotto (1483-86) - Louvre, Paris, France
Madonna in the Grotto or Virgin in the Grotto (1508) - National Gallery, London, England
Leda and the Swan (1508) - Galleria Borghese, Rome, Italy
Mona Lisa or Gioconda - Louvre, Paris, France
Madonna and Child with St. Anne (~1510) - Louvre, Paris, France
John the Baptist (~1514) - Louvre, Paris, France
Bacchus, (1515) - Louvre, Paris, France.
Madonna with carnation
Anonymous 17th century (based on a lost original) - Portrait of Leonardo da Vinci
>Biographies of artists
Brief biography of Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci - the greatest painter, sculptor and architect of the Renaissance; Italian artist, scientist, musician and writer. They often say about him “the man who wanted to know everything,” as he was comprehensively educated and developed. Da Vinci was born on April 15, 1452 in the village. Anchiano near Florence. Leonardo's father was a successful notary, and his mother was a simple peasant woman. The boy was separated from his mother early, which is why he tried to recreate her image in his thoughts. His stepmother died when he was 13, after which his father remarried.
Leonardo did not have his own last name, as he was an illegitimate child. Translated, "da Vinci" simply means that he was from the area around the city of Vinci. From an early age he was raised by his father, hoping that he would follow in his footsteps and become a lawyer. However public sphere did not seem interesting to Leonardo. When his father moved to Florence in 1469, he became an apprentice to the talented painter Andrea del Verrocchio. Young artist had an interest in various sciences. He was interested in astronomy, architecture, and physics at the same time.
It is known that since 1472 he was a member of the Guild of Florentine Artists. Biographers date the artist’s first painting to 1473. A few years later he already had his own workshop and created masterpiece after masterpiece. The paintings “The Annunciation”, “Adoration of the Magi”, “Benois Madonna” brought him unprecedented success. Looking for creative tasks, he agreed to work in various cities. In the 1480s he worked in Milan as a painter for Duke L. Sforza. In this glorious Italian city he lived until 1499. Three years later, he was noticed and invited to work by the prominent politician Cesare Borgia. In 1503 the artist returned to Florence. His most famous painting, the portrait of the Mona Lisa, is usually attributed to this period.
IN different times his work was patronized by Louis XII, the Medici family and other influential houses. In January 1516, at the invitation of Francis I, he went to France, where he served as the first royal artist. He could have created many more masterpieces, but two years after the move he became seriously ill. The great painter died in May 1519 at the age of 67, surrounded by students in the French castle of Amboise.