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Thursday, September 12, 2024
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The illegitimate son of a 25-year-old notary,
Ser Piero, and a peasant girl, Caterina, Leonardo was born on
April 15, 1452, in Vinci, Italy, just outside Florence. His father
took custody of the little fellow shortly after his birth, while
his mother married someone else and moved to a neighboring town.
His parents continued having children, although not with each other, and they
eventually supplied him with a total of 17 half sisters and brothers.
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Growing up in his
father's Vinci home, Leonardo had access to scholarly texts owned by
family and friends. He was also exposed to Vinci's longstanding painting
tradition and, when he was about 15, his father apprenticed him to the
renowned workshop of Andrea del Verrochio in Florence. Even as an apprentice,
Leonardo demonstrated his colossal talent. In search of new challenges
and fortunes, Leonardo entered the service of the Duke of Milan, Ludovico
Sforza, in 1482, abandoning his first commission in Florence, "The Adoration of
the Magi". He spent 17 years in Milan, leaving only after Duke
Ludovico Sforza's fall from power in 1499. From 1485 to 1490, Leonardo
produced a series of studies on loads of subjects, including nature, flying machines,
geometry, mechanics, municipal construction, canals and architecture
(designing everything from churches to fortresses).
Between 1490 and 1495, he developed his habit of recording his studies
in meticulously illustrated notebooks. His work covered four main themes:
painting, architecture, the elements of mechanics, and human anatomy.
About 1503, Leonardo reportedly began work on the "Mona Lisa." From
1513 to 1516, he worked in Rome, maintaining a workshop and undertaking
a variety of projects for the Pope. Following the death of his patron
Giuliano de' Medici in March of 1516, he was offered the title of Premier
Painter and Engineer and Architect of the King by Francis I in France.
Leonardo died on May 2, 1519 in Cloux, France. Legend has it that King
Francis was at his side when he died, cradling Leonardo's head in his
arms. (Source: www.mos.org) |
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The
opinions and interpretations in this publication are those of the author
and do not necessarily reflect those of the Government of Canada. |
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