LEONARDO DA VINCI

LEONARDO DA VINCI -- 
SELF-PORTRAIT 
IN RED CHALK  -- CA 1512-1515

Leonardo da Vinci is known as a great artist, scientist and inventor.

Leonardo was named after the place he was born on 15 April 1452 in a little place a few miles outside Florence. In those days people did not have surnames and therefore da Vinci means Leonardo is from Vinci.  

Florence was already a great art centre of Italian art and culture. It is assumed that Leonardo was surely an apprenticed to the famous Florentine master, Andrea del Verrochio. He was allowed to paint two angels in a painting 'The Baptism of Christ'. A story circulated around that Leonardo's angels were so skilfully painted that Verrocchino decided to change over to sculpture. Leonardo was a qualified Master at the age of only 20 years. He also became a full member of the painters' guild, the Company of St. Luke.

In 1483 he went into service with Lodovico Sforza, Duke of Milan. He was a very cultured man. Leonardo wrote a letter asking for a position at court. In his letter he mentioned his ability as a military engineer and then, towards the end of his letter, he wrote, 'in painting I can do as much as anyone, whoever he may be!'

BAPTISM OF CHRIST  
CA 1472

VIRGIN OF
THE ROCK

He received a commission from a chapel. Leonardo painted 'The Virgin of the Rocks' which was his first masterpiece. It is not known why but he never delivered it. It hangs now in the Louvre Museum in Paris. After twenty years he finally painted, just as beautiful, a masterpiece of the subject but different. With that he fulfilled his obligation of the commission. This painting hangs now in the National Gallery of London.

Leonardo moved to Milan and held a position as designer-in-chief. It mend that he had to organize court entertainments and painted a number of portraits. When he was there he made a complete full-size clay model of a horse. It was announced as a masterpiece. However, it was never cast in bronze. When in 1499 the French soldiers conquered Milan, it was destroyed.

Another great achievement was the oil-based painting of 'The Last Supper' in 1498 which brought him to his height of his fame. Unfortunately, the paint flaked from the wall, even during his lifetime and for many centuries the painting was in ruin.

THE LAST SUPPER -- 1498

After the French invasion of Milan and the dethroning of Lodovico, Sforza, Duke of Milan, Leonardo went back to Florence. He spent a few years there. He must have been a restless person because he found it hard to complete his projects. Yet, he could work on details for hours until he got it right. He made a full-scale preliminary drawing of a Madonna and Child and St. Anna and it was such masterpiece that when it was put on display it drew the biggest crowd ever.

Leonardo was intrigued, for several years, about this subject. Therefore he done a chalk drawing and it was supposed to be for a painting to follow. However, he never done it. Later on he done a similar painting but without St. John.

MADONNA WITH CHILD AND ST ANN AND ST JOHN THE BAPTIST -- CA

MONA LISA

In 1503 Leonardo painted the famous 'Mona Lisa'. It became so famous because Leonardo could put in the mystery of a personality and his great skill in present subtle changes in melting tones. A merchant of Florence had commissioned this painting, a portrait of his wife but Leonardo never parted with it and it is assumed that he fell in love with either the painting or the Lady.

Apparently, Leonardo kept the sitter amused with music and reading. This supposed to have brought up the enigmatic smile.

ANATOMATICAL STUDY OFTHE ARM -- CA 1510

ANATOMATICAL STUDY OF THE ARM CA 1510

A PAGE FROM HIS STUDY OF THE FOTUS IN THE WOMB -- CA 1510

LAST REMARKS

Leonard da Vinci (1452-1519) lived in one of the greatest history of art: The Italian Renaissance. Although Italy managed to produce one genius after another for three centuries Leonardo was acknowledged during his lifetime. He was a genius amongst genius. Michelangelo and Raphael who were younger than Leonardo nearly had the same reputation at that time. During the years of 1500 to 1527 when all three were working there it is recognized as the High Renaissance.

In those year the artist were not to expected to be specialists but able to cope with anything. Such as stage set, fancy helmet, an inn-sign or building. Leonardo was capable of doing anything and much more.

Today he admired for paintings, science, mathematic, anatomy, military engineering and inventor. His notebooks are full with extra-ordinary observations and beautiful drawings.

However, the most amazing facts are that his notebooks are written backwards. It can only be read with a mirror. Whether it was secrecy or since he was left handed he could have found that it was easier to write that way.

Leonardo in his old age became very restless. He moved to Florence, then to Milan and then to Rome. He was also ageing rapidly and that made him even more eager to work hard. He kept on trying to get the full knowledge of anatomy. We can only read between the lines in his notebook and draw some conclusion. He seemed to have grown more and more pessimistic.

In 1516 he finally received and accepted an invitation to France. He received a position of 'first painter and engineer and architect' on the court of the very cultured King Frances I.

He was held in such honour, the legend grew, that he died in the King's arms on 2 May 1519. However, it is suppose only a legend.