Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci, the renowned Italian polymath of the Renaissance era, is born.

Leonardo da Vinci, the Italian painter, draftsman, sculptor, architect, and engineer, was born on April 15, 1452, in Anchiano, near Vinci, Republic of Florence. His diverse skills and intelligence epitomized the Renaissance humanist ideal.

Around 1464, Leonardo da Vinci starts his apprenticeship under Andrea del Verrocchio in Florence, marking the beginning of his artistic journey.

At the age of 15, Leonardo is sent to Florence to work as an apprentice to Andrea De Verrocchio.

Leonardo da Vinci becomes an apprentice to Andrea del Verrocchio in Florence around 1467. This date is an estimate for the start of his apprenticeship.

By at least 1469, Leonardo da Vinci's father, Ser Piero, established an official residence in Florence, Italy. This marked a significant period in Leonardo's life as he continued to develop his artistic skills and interests.

In 1472, Leonardo da Vinci successfully completes his apprenticeship as an artist in Florence, showcasing his dedication and talent in the field.

In 1473, Leonardo da Vinci creates his earliest known drawing, a landscape, on the Feast of Santa Maria delle Neve.

In 1477, Leonardo da Vinci's artistic skills were so well received that he was invited to join the Painter's Guild of Florence.

The Annunciation painting, initially credited to Da Vinci, is now believed to have been painted by Lorenzo.

In 1479, Leonardo da Vinci made a macabre sketch showing the body of Bernardo Baroncelli, who was hanged in connection with the Pazzi conspiracy. This drawing reflects Leonardo's attention to detail and observation skills.

In 1481, Leonardo da Vinci receives a commission to paint the Adoration of the Magi, which was never completed but is still regarded as a masterpiece.

In 1482, Leonardo da Vinci relocates to Milan to serve under the city's duke, Ludovico Sforza. He is appointed as the 'painter and engineer of the duke', showcasing his diverse talents.

In 1483, Leonardo da Vinci is commissioned to paint the Virgin of the Rocks. This year also marks the birth of the renowned artist Raphael.

In 1485, Leonardo da Vinci painted the famous artwork known as the Virgin of the Rocks.

Leonardo da Vinci's famous drawing, Vitruvian Man, is a study of the proportions of the human body. It is a remarkable example of his scientific and artistic exploration.

Leonardo da Vinci relocates to Milan in 1492 to work in the court of Duke Ludovico Sforza. This move provides him with numerous opportunities to showcase his talents in various projects, including iconic paintings like the Last Supper and The Virgin of the Rocks.

In 1493, Leonardo da Vinci built and unveiled a full-scale clay model of the equestrian statue for a wedding, showcasing his artistic skills and creativity.

Leonardo studied different poses and gestures of the mother and her infant, probably in preparation for the main panel in his famous altarpiece known as the Virgin of the Rocks.

Leonardo made notes on the actors' positions on stage alongside his sketches for a masque (or musical comedy) in Milan in 1496.

In 1498, Leonardo da Vinci started working on The Last Supper in the refectory of the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan.

In 1499, Leonardo da Vinci completed his masterpiece, The Last Supper.

Leonardo da Vinci finishes painting 'The Last Supper' on the wall of Milan's Santa Maria delle Grazie, depicting the final meal of Jesus with his disciples.

In 1502, Leonardo da Vinci started working as a senior military architect and general engineer for Cesare Borgia, the son of Pope Alexander VI.

The Mona Lisa, painted by Leonardo da Vinci around 1503–6, is one of the most famous artworks in the world. It is known for the enigmatic smile of the woman portrayed in the painting, which has captivated viewers for centuries.

In 1505, Leonardo decides to abandon his work on the Battle of Anghiari due to its deteriorating state.

In 1507, Leonardo is given the role of painter and engineer to Louis XII. He also creates a second version of the Virgin of the Rocks and meets a beautiful young assistant.

In the 1490s, Leonardo da Vinci studied mathematics under Luca Pacioli and prepared a series of drawings of regular solids in a skeletal form to be engraved as plates for Pacioli's book Divina proportione, published in 1509.

In 1516, Leonardo da Vinci moved to Amboise, France to work for King Francis I as the 'Premier Painter and Engineer and Architect of the King'. He brought several paintings with him, including the famous Mona Lisa.

Leonardo da Vinci moves to France to work for Francis I of France.

On April 23rd, 1519, Leonardo da Vinci wrote his will before his passing. The document outlined his wishes for his belongings and legacy.

On May 2, 1519, Leonardo da Vinci passed away in France.

After the French Revolution damaged Château d'Amboise and scattered the bones interred in the collegiate church of Saint Florentin, a partially complete skeleton with a bronze ring, white hair, and stone fragments bearing inscriptions interpreted as 'Leonardus Vinci' was discovered in 1863. The skull's features and a silver shield found near the bones suggested it could be Leonardo da Vinci.

Henry Fuseli expressed great admiration for Leonardo da Vinci's genius in the 19th century, highlighting his significant impact on modern art.

Hippolyte Taine acknowledged Leonardo da Vinci as a genius ahead of his time, with unparalleled talents and a yearning for the infinite.

In 1893, a collection of Leonardo da Vinci's manuscripts, including his designs for flying machines and parachute, was published in Paris by E. Rouveyre.

Art historian Bernard Berenson lauded Leonardo da Vinci's ability to turn everything he touched into eternal beauty, emphasizing his exceptional artistic skills.

In 1957, the Encyclopædia Britannica Educational Corporation produced a video exploring the life and works of Leonardo da Vinci. This video sheds light on the Renaissance artist and inventor.

In 2017, Salvator Mundi, a painting attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, was sold at auction for a record-breaking US$450.3 million. This sale highlighted the enduring value and significance of Leonardo's works in the art world.

The Louvre arranged the largest exhibit of Leonardo da Vinci's work on the 500th anniversary of his death, showcasing over 100 paintings, drawings, and notebooks.

A decade-long analysis of Leonardo da Vinci's genetic genealogy concluded, revealing that the artist has 14 living male relatives and potentially aiding in the authentication of his remains.