Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci

By Tom Kirvan

Famous for his paintings, inventions, and scientific discoveries, Leonardo da Vinci was a true Renaissance man, a genius who graced the world with his presence and creativity from April 15, 1452 to May 2, 1519.

Born out of wedlock, da Vinci was educated in the Italian city of Florence, where he began a nine-year apprenticeship at the age of 14 to Andrea del Verrocchio, a renowned sculptor, painter, and goldsmith. It was at Verrocchio’s side that da Vinci developed his artistic talents, while also garnering knowledge about such diverse subjects as mechanics, carpentry, metallurgy, architecture, and chemistry.

Known for his dramatic and expressive artwork, da Vinci created such masterpieces as “The Last Supper,” “The Annunciation,” and “The Mona Lisa,” an iconic painting that is perhaps the most well-known and replicated piece of art in history. Historians believe that da Vinci began the painting in 1503 after receiving a commission from Francesco del Giocondo to paint his wife. The painting, which hangs in the Louvre, has been part of the museum’s collection since 1804. Long considered priceless, “The Mona Lisa” would likely fetch more than $1 billion if ever sold.

Leonardo da Vinci

As an inventor, da Vinci was centuries ahead of his time, developing concepts that would be turned into the parachute, the helicopter, an armored fighting vehicle, the car, and a gun. He even sketched a primitive submarine just four years before his death, according to historians.

A man of science, da Vinci is widely credited for spurring a greater understanding of such subjects as anatomy, astronomy, zoology, botany, geology, optics, and aerodynamics among others.

Single his entire life, da Vinci was married to his work, which he continued to the age of 67 before dying from the effects of a stroke.

“The greatest deception men suffer is from their own opinions,” da Vinci reportedly said in his final stages.

Other da Vinci quotations of note:

“Learning never exhausts the mind.”
“Art is never finished, only abandoned.”
“The noblest pleasure is the joy of understanding.”
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”
“Poor is the pupil who does not surpass his master.”