Leonardo da Vinci: The Renaissance Man

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Leonardo da Vinci was a very well-known and extremely talented artist in his time. Not only was he an artist but, also an architect, inventor, and chronicler of science (Zimmermann). Throughout his life he created many beautiful works of art. As an inventor he researched objects of interest to see exactly how they performed and tried to figure out the exact science involved. That being said, not only was he an artist, he also personified the enlightened age prevalent in Europe at the time.
Da Vinci was born on April 15, 1452, in Vinci, Italy. His father, Ser Piero, was a prominent attorney notary, and his mother was a young peasant girl. The two conceived Leonardo out of wedlock. As a result, he was raised by his father and several stepmothers’. Although Leonardo had only a very basic education his artistic potential was so great that his father sent him to apprentice with sculptor and painter, Andrea del Verrocchio, in Florence at just age 14 (Zimmermann). For the next six years, he worked on many skills that would be useful to him as he progressed as an artist. At the age of 20 he became a member of the Guild of Saint Luke. Not long after, his location became unknown for a few years when he was accused and acquitted of sodomy in Florence at age 22. Through all of this he remained with Verrocchio until, in 1478, he became an independent master. About the same time Leonardo was hired to complete his first commissioned work for Florence’s San Donato, a Scopeto monastery. This piece was to be named “The Adoration of the Magi” but was never finished (Zimmermann).
Renaissance is French for rebirth. This era was considered to be between the 14th and 16th century in Europe. During the Renaissance period, Leonardo became very famous ...

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...e offer and Francesco Melzi, his assistant, joined him. Leonardo was able to live in France for about three years before he passed away on May 2, 1519 (Zimmermann). Leonardo lived a very successful life. Not only did he create many remarkable works of art, but he left a huge impact of many people. His work was not only famous in his time; it is still well-known today, centuries later.

Works Cited
Finnan, Vincent. "Leonardo da Vinci, a great artist in an age of great artists." Italian Renaissance Art.com, 2014. Web. 26 Feb 2014.
Group, ART002. "DaVinci - Art." Personal.psu.edu, 2014. Web. 26 Feb 2014.
Rosmanitz, Klaus. "The Renaissance | The Rebirth of Europe |Society, Art and Architecture, Economy | Leonardo da Vinci." English-online.at, 2014. Web. 26 Feb 2014.
Zimmermann, Kim Ann. "Leonardo da Vinci: Facts & Biography." LiveScience.com, 2014. Web. 26 Feb 2014.

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