LEONARDO DA VINCI | Draw My Life

Summary

Leonardo da Vinci, born in 1452, was a polymath of the Italian Renaissance known for his diverse talents in art, science, and engineering. Apprenticed to Verrocchio, he pioneered oil painting and the sfumato technique, creating iconic works like 'The Virgin of the Rocks' and 'Mona Lisa'. His scientific illustrations, such as 'Vitruvian Man', revolutionized the field. Despite political instability affecting many of his projects, da Vinci's genius and influence endure, culminating in his peaceful final years in France, where he passed away in 1519.

Takeaways

• 🎨 Leonardo da Vinci was a polymath of the Italian Renaissance, excelling in various artistic and scientific disciplines.
• 🌱 Born on April 15, 1452, in Vinci, Italy, he was the son of a peasant woman and a wealthy notary.
• 👨‍🎨 At seventeen, he became an apprentice to the artist Verrocchio, learning painting and sculpture, and contributed to the construction of the Santa Maria dei Fiore dome.
• 🚀 The Renaissance facilitated cultural exchange and commercial growth, during which da Vinci introduced oil painting, a technique from the Netherlands, in his first major work 'The Adoration of the Magi'.
• 🏙️ In 1482, he moved to Milan and presented himself to Duke Ludovico Sforza, where he worked on hydraulic, mechanical, and architectural projects.
• 💡 Da Vinci believed that cleanliness and proper urban planning could mitigate the effects of the plague, and he designed river canalization plans to demonstrate this.
• 🖌️ He painted 'The Virgin of the Rocks' in 1483, incorporating the innovative sfumato technique, which created a sense of depth by layering paint to achieve softer contours.
• 🌟 'Mona Lisa', also known as 'La Gioconda', is one of the most famous paintings in history, where da Vinci used sfumato to create the illusion of a disappearing smile.
• 📚 In 1494, da Vinci participated in illustrating 'La Divina Proportione' by Luca Pacioli, establishing himself as a pioneer in scientific illustration.
• 🍽️ 'The Last Supper', completed in 1498, is an iconic mural depicting Jesus with his apostles before his betrayal, showcasing da Vinci's revolutionary approach to humanizing religious subjects.
• 🔬 After the fall of Milan to French forces, da Vinci's interest in science deepened, attending dissections and creating detailed anatomical illustrations.
• 🏰 Despite political instability and many of his projects remaining unrealized, da Vinci was offered the position of architect and painter at the Milan court, where he designed a castle and made sketches for the oratory of Santa Maria alla Fontana.
• 🕊️ He spent his final years in France, living more like a noble than an employee, and was granted great respect by the French king until his death on May 2, 1519.
• 📚 His vast collection of manuscripts and drawings were bequeathed to his student Francesco Melzi, preserving da Vinci's legacy for future generations.

Q & A

Who is Leonardo da Vinci known for being?

Leonardo da Vinci is known for being a polymath of the Italian Renaissance, excelling in various artistic and scientific disciplines.

When and where was Leonardo da Vinci born?

Leonardo da Vinci was born on April 15, 1452, in the Florentine locality of Vinci, Italy.

What were the professions of Leonardo da Vinci's parents?

Leonardo's mother, Caterina, was a peasant, and his father, Ser Piero, was a wealthy notary from Florence.

At what age did Leonardo da Vinci become an apprentice to the artist Verrocchio?

Leonardo da Vinci became an apprentice to the artist Verrocchio at the age of seventeen.

What technique did Leonardo da Vinci introduce to painting?

Leonardo da Vinci introduced the technique of oil painting, which allowed for greater control in the thickness of the paint.