Leonardo da Vinci

Date of Birth: April 15, 1452

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: May 2, 1519

Biography

Leonardo da Vinci was an Italian polymath whose areas of interest included invention, painting, sculpting, architecture, science, music, mathematics, engineering, literature, anatomy, geology, astronomy, botany, writing, history, and cartography. He is widely considered one of the greatest painters of all time and perhaps the most diversely talented person ever to have lived. Born in Vinci, Italy, Leonardo was the illegitimate son of a notary, Piero da Vinci, and a peasant woman, Caterina. He received an informal education in Latin, geometry, and mathematics. At the age of 14, Leonardo began an apprenticeship with the artist Andrea del Verrocchio in Florence. His early works, including “The Baptism of Christ,” show his potential, and by the early 1480s, he had his own workshop. His masterpieces include “The Last Supper” and “Mona Lisa,” both revered for their intricate detail and innovative techniques. Leonardo’s curiosity and insatiable quest for knowledge led him to explore various fields, producing thousands of pages of notes and sketches on topics ranging from anatomy to flight. Leonardo spent his final years in France under the patronage of King Francis I and died in 1519. His legacy endures not only through his art but also through his scientific observations and inventions, many of which were ahead of their time.

5 Interesting Facts about Leonardo da Vinci

1. Leonardo da Vinci was left-handed, which was considered unusual during his time and may have contributed to his unique perspective in art and science.

2. He wrote most of his notes in mirror script, which can only be read when held up to a mirror.

3. Leonardo’s “Vitruvian Man” is a study of the proportions of the human body and is one of the most reproduced drawings in the world.

4. Despite his many designs for flying machines, Leonardo never built a successful aircraft.

5. Only about 15 of Leonardo’s paintings have survived, largely because of his experimental techniques and his habit of leaving many works unfinished.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Leonardo da Vinci

1. “Learning never exhausts the mind.”

2. “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”

3. “Art is never finished, only abandoned.”

4. “The noblest pleasure is the joy of understanding.”

5. “Where the spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Leonardo da Vinci never achieved significant wealth during his lifetime, but his works are now considered priceless. The “Mona Lisa” alone is valued at over $850 million as of 2021.