Leonardo da Vinci

Early Years Born April 14, 1452 in a village near the town of Vinci (da Vinci means “from Vinci”) Apprenticed to an artist in Florence Studied lizards, snakes, and bats Painted a picture of a monster that was so life- like, his father was scared

Universal Man Not just a painter Scientist, musician, poet, philosopher, engineer, architect, writer, mathematician, medicine Military engineer—created many war machines for war First Tank, cross bow, helicopter, etc.

Last Supper

Last Supper Painted on the wall of a monastery in Milan during his employment there. Not a fresco—no wet plaster, just paint Paint immediately began to fall off he wall Had no way to stay on wall—humidity, vandalism 20-year effort to “fix” the painting—was it “fixed” or merely repainted?

Mona Lisa Most famous painting Oil on Canvas Not appreciated until the 19th century Sits before an imaginary landscape Leonardo often carried the painting with him.

Sketchbook Filled with thousands of sketches of human and animal anatomy, architecture, and engineering ideas Known as the “Renaissance Man” for his ideas and achievements Left many works and ideas unfinished Perfectionist Never satisfied with his work

Secret Writing Left handed Wrote backwards—no one knows why Secrets? Easier?

Vitruvian Man Study of the proportions and structure of man Arms and legs straight—man creates a box Arms and legs diagonal—man creates a circle Follows classical ideal of beauty—not always the same for each person

Animal Anatomy Studied horses mainly Easily available and showed more muscles Also dissected animals to study anatomy

Final Years Designed buildings in central Italy Traveled to Rome in 1513 and found competition with Michelangelo and Raphael. Traveled to France in 1516 to work for King Fancis I (great admirer) Died May 2, 1519 at age 67 King of France said to have held Leo as he died-- -great admiration