Leonardo da Vinci: A Detailed Biography

Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) is the archetype of the Renaissance genius. Painter of the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, designer of flying machines and war engines, anatomist who dissected over 30 cadavers, and author of thousands of notebook pages — his curiosity and creativity remain unmatched. This biography covers his Tuscan childhood, Milan and Florence years, final period in France, and immortal legacy, as documented by the Encyclopaedia Britannica, the Louvre Museum, and the Biblioteca Ambrosiana.

Early Life in Tuscany

Illegitimate Birth near Vinci

Born on April 15, 1452, in Vinci, Leonardo was the illegitimate son of notary Ser Piero and peasant girl Caterina. Raised by his paternal grandparents, he received little formal education but showed prodigious artistic talent, as documented by the Museo Leonardiano.

Apprenticeship and Early Masterpieces

Florence and Verrocchio

At age 15 he entered the workshop of Andrea del Verrocchio, where he learned painting, sculpture, and mechanical arts. By 1472 he was enrolled in the painters’ guild. His earliest surviving works date from the 1470s, as preserved by the Uffizi Galleries.

Milan Years (1482–1499)

Service under Ludovico Sforza

In 1482 Leonardo moved to Milan, offering his services as military engineer, musician, and painter. He painted The Virgin of the Rocks and Lady with an Ermine, began the giant equestrian statue for Francesco Sforza (never completed), and created The Last Supper (1495–1498), as preserved by the Cenacolo Vinciano.

Return to Florence and the Mona Lisa

David and the Battle of Anghiari

Back in Florence (1500–1506), he sculpted the marble David (1501–1504) and painted the Mona Lisa (1503–1519, never fully finished). He competed with Michelangelo on giant battle murals for the Palazzo Vecchio — Leonardo’s was abandoned due to technical failure, as documented by the Accademia Gallery.

Second Milan Period and Rome (1506–1516)

Under French patronage in Milan, he painted St John the Baptist and worked on canal projects. In Rome (1513–1516) under Pope Leo X, he conducted scientific experiments but completed few artworks.

Final Years in France

In 1516 King Francis I invited Leonardo to France with the title “Premier Painter and Engineer”. He lived at Clos Lucé near Amboise, planning court festivals and canal systems until his death, as preserved by the Clos Lucé.

Inventions and Scientific Studies

Leonardo filled over 7,000 notebook pages (about half survive) with designs for flying machines, parachutes, armoured tanks, machine guns, bridges, musical instruments, and anatomical drawings far ahead of his time. He dissected cadavers secretly to understand human anatomy, as documented by the Royal Collection Trust.

Death and Legacy

Leonardo da Vinci’s Enduring Impact

Leonardo died on May 2, 1519, at Clos Lucé, Amboise, aged 67, reportedly in the arms of King Francis I. His notebooks were scattered but later collected; they influenced science and art for centuries. The Mona Lisa and The Last Supper remain the two most famous paintings in the world, as celebrated by the Smithsonian Magazine.

Frequently Asked Questions About Leonardo da Vinci

Why Is Leonardo da Vinci Famous?

For the Mona Lisa, The Last Supper, Vitruvian Man, and being the ultimate Renaissance genius.

Where Is the Mona Lisa?

Louvre Museum, Paris (since 1797).

Where Was Leonardo da Vinci Born?

Vinci, near Florence, Italy, April 15, 1452.

What Is the Vitruvian Man?

Leonardo’s famous drawing (c. 1490) of ideal human proportions.

Did Leonardo Finish the Mona Lisa?

He worked on it until his death and never considered it finished.

What Inventions Did Leonardo Make?

Flying machines, parachute, tank, machine gun, scuba gear — most never built.

How Did Leonardo da Vinci Die?

Stroke on May 2, 1519, at age 67 in Amboise, France.