A Fun Guide to His Life, Paintings, and Legacy
Was From Which Country?
the land of pasta, pizza, and apparently, absolute geniuses. Born in Vinci (yes, that’s why he’s called “da Vinci”) in 1452, he grew up in a time when Italy was the center of art, science, and all things fancy. Imagine being born in a place where every street looks like a painting—no wonder he became a legendary artist !
Born out of wedlock to a successful notary and a lower-class woman in, or near, Vinci, he was educated in Florence by the Italian painter and sculptor Andrea del Verrocchio. He began his career in the city, but then spent much time in the service of Ludovico Sforza in Milan. Later, he worked in Florence and Milan again, as well as briefly in Rome, all while attracting a large following of imitators and students. Upon the invitation of Francis I, he spent his last three years in France, where he died in 1519. Since his death, there has not been a time where his achievements, diverse interests, personal life, and empirical thinking have failed to incite interest and admiration
Education?
Forget traditional schooling—Leonardo was self-taught! He didn’t go to a fancy university but learned by observing, experimenting, and sketching everything he saw. Imagine a kid today watching YouTube tutorials instead of doing homework—that was Leonardo but with notebooks and real-life experiments. His curiosity was his teacher, and honestly, we should all take some notes from him (preferably in a cool, old-school journal) He was accepted into the painters’ guild in Florence in 1472 but he continued to work as an apprentice until 1477. From that time he worked for himself in Florence as a painter. Already during this time he sketched pumps, military weapons and other machines.
Between 1482 and 1499 Leonardo was in the service of the Duke of Milan. He was described in a list of the Duke’s staff as a painter and engineer of the duke. As well as completing six paintings during his time in the Duke’s service he also advised on architecture, fortifications and military matters. He was also considered as a hydraulic and mechanical engineer.
Leonardo da Vinci’s Most Famous Painting
If Mona Lisa had an Instagram, she’d have billions of followers. But guess what? She never smiles in photos. That mysterious smile is what makes her so famous. People have been debating for centuries—is she happy, sad, or just thinking about what to eat for dinner?
Fun fact: Her eyes follow you no matter where you stand. Imagine walking into a room, and a painting just knows where you are—creepy or cool? you decide.
- Title: Portrait of Lisa Gherardini, Wife of Francesco del Giocondo
- Date: Painted between 1503 and 1519 in Florence, Italy
- Size: 77 x 53 cm
- Location: Louvre Museum, Paris, France
Features
- The painting depicts Lisa Gherardini, the wife of a Florentine silk merchant
- The painting features Leonardo da Vinci’s sfumato technique, which uses glazes to create a smoky effect
- The painting is known for its enigmatic smile and the sitter’s mysterious identity
History
- King Francis I of France acquired the painting after Leonardo’s death in 1519
- The painting has been on display at the Louvre in Paris since 1797
- The painting is the property of the French Republic and cannot be bought or sold
Books?
Da Vinci didn’t just paint—he wrote and sketched thousands of pages filled with ideas about flying machines, human anatomy, and even futuristic weapons (probably designed to fight bad art). Unfortunately, he never published a book himself, but his notebooks became legendary.
Today, books about, like Walter Isaacson’s, give us a deep dive into his life and genius. It’s like getting a backstage pass to history’s greatest mind!
Advantages of Leonardo da Vinci’s Books
So, why should you care about Leonardo’s notebooks and books about him? Because they offer valuable life lessons that can help you think smarter, create better, and maybe even impress your friends at parties.
1. They Teach the Art of Curiosity
Leonardo questioned everything. He wrote things like:
- Why is the sky blue?
- How do birds fly?
- Why do people yawn when they see others yawn?
Imagine if Google didn’t exist, and you had to figure things out yourself—that was Leonardo’s life! His books show us that asking questions is the key to learning.
2.They Cover Everything from Art to Science
Leonardo wasn’t just a painter; he was an inventor, scientist, and engineer. His books cover:
- Painting techniques (so you, too, can attempt a Mona Lisa—good luck!)
- Human anatomy (he basically did the first biology lessons before schools existed)
- Machines and inventions (he sketched ideas for helicopters centuries before they were invented!)
👉 Life lesson: Don’t limit yourself to one skill—explore different interests! Who knows? You might be the next Renaissance genius
3.They Are a Masterclass in Observation
Leonardo didn’t just see things—he studied them deeply. He would:
- Watch water flow for hours to understand how it moves.
- Sketch people’s faces in extreme detail (probably the first guy to overanalyze facial expressions).
- Observe birds to figure out how flight works (he was the original “bird watcher”).
👉 Life lesson: The more you observe, the more you learn. So, the next time you’re out, take a moment to really look at the world around you—you might notice something amazing!
Leonardo da Vinci’s Facts?
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He Was an Illegitimate Child – Leonardo was born in 1452 in Vinci, Italy, to a notary, Ser Piero, and a peasant woman, Caterina. Since they were not married, Leonardo was raised by his father.
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He Had No Formal Education – Despite his genius, Leonardo didn’t receive a formal education in Greek or Latin, which were standard for scholars. However, he was an autodidact and learned a great deal on his own.
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He Was Ambidextrous – Leonardo could write with one hand while drawing with the other! He often wrote in “mirror writing,” which some believe was a way to keep his notes secret.
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He Designed Futuristic Machines – Long before airplanes existed, Leonardo sketched designs for flying machines, parachutes, and even an early version of a helicopter.
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He Dissected Human Bodies – To understand anatomy better, Leonardo studied and dissected human cadavers, creating some of the most detailed anatomical drawings of his time.
