The Life of Leonardo da Vinci, Italian Renaissance Artist

Self-Portrait of Leonardo da Vinci c. 1512; red chalk on paper, 333 x 213 mm Biblioteca Reale, Turin

Click here to see our fine art reproductions.

Popular still today, the paintings and drawings created during the life of Leonardo da Vinci are often seen in art prints and reproductions. Da Vinci’s study of human proportion, Vitruvian Man, graces the pages of books written in many fields, a testament to the wide-reaching thoughts the image inspires not only to Italian Renaissance art lovers, but to mankind as well.

His art works attest to Leonardo da Vinci’s lifelong study of man and nature. Like Italian Renaissance artist, Michelangelo, da Vinci sometimes dissected corpses secretly to perfect his understanding of anatomy and improve his fine art skills. He also dissected animals, human dissection not being readily available and strongly prohibited by the church during the time of this Italian Renaissance artist. Da Vinci’s claim to be an expert in military engineering and weapons may even have offered opportunity for human study on the battlefield.

During the life of Leonardo da Vinci, patronage never seemed to be lacking, although his patronwere not exclusively interested in only sponsoring his art. According to Giorgio Vasari, biographer and historian of many prominent Italian Renaissance artists such as Michelangelo and Raphael, da Vinci was as much sought out for his wit and charm as for his mastery of art painting. The city of Florence, where da Vinci spent his early adulthood was a cultural maelstrom of craftsmen, artists, and wealthy patrons. It is no surprise then that it was here that so many Italian Renaissance artists arose. Leonardo himself was apprenticed at a young age to master goldsmith and sculptor Andrea Verrocchio.

Brenda Harness, Art Historian

• Leonardo da Vinci Timeline
  Leonardo da Vinci Timeline - His Life and Works
  
  
• Da Vinci in Verrocchio's Studio
  As a young man Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) was apprenticed to the studio of Italian Renaissance painter and sculptor, Andrea del Verrocchio. Da Vinci was a fast learner.
  
  
• The Annunciation to the Virgin, An Early fine Art Work by Leonardo da Vinci
  This early fine art work by Italian Renaissance master Leonardo da Vinci gives us a glimpse of this great artist of the High Renaissance we have come to know so well.
  
  
• Da Vinci's Last Supper Painting
  Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper painting has been controversial since its exeution in 1498, not only due to Leonardo's experimental fresco technique which caused its deterioration.
  
  
• Da Vinci's Mona Lisa Portrait
  The Mona Lisa portrait by Italian Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci was never delivered to a patron, but it eventually found its way into Napoleon's bedroom in the Tuileries.
  
  
• Where Is The Real Mona Lisa Now?
  Italian scholar Giuseppe Pallatini believes he has found where the real Mona Lisa is buried, and he claims to know the exact location of the beautiful woman who modeled for Leonardo da Vinci.
  
  
• The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci
  The original loose pages of the notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci are now bound and scattered throughout England, Italy, France, and America, separated into separate volumes.
  
  
• Da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man
  Leonardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man drawing has inspired generations of artists.
  
  
• Da Vinci's Portrait of Ginevra de'Benci
  Leonardo da Vinci's portrait of Ginevra de'Benci is the only work by the great artist in America.
  
  
• Stolen Art Still Missing: Leonardo's Madonna with the Yarnwinder
  Stolen from a Scottish castle owned by the Duke of Buccleuch in 2003, Leonardo's Madonna with the Yarn Winder is one of the few autograph works of the artist.
  
  
• Da Vinci's Madonna and Child Painting with St. Anne
  Leonardo da Vinci explored the theme of Madonna and Child painting several times throughout his long career.
  
  
• Leonardo's Bronze Horse Sculpture
  Leonardo's Bronze Horse sculpture was commissioned by Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan, but never finished until today.