Want to learn more about Leonardo Da Vinci’s art? In this study learn more about this Renaissance man in our free homeschool artist study!
“Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen.” ~Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci’s Early Life
Leonardo da Vinci (pronunciation) was born on April 15, 1452, in the village of Vinci, just outside of Florence in the region of Tuscany, Italy.
From an early age, he proved to be quite the artist, and at the age of 14. There, he was apprenticed to the master painter, Andrea del Verrochio. It is said that Leonardo soon surpassed his master and Verrochio became so ashamed of his own talents that he swore never to paint again.
Despite his training as a painter, Da Vinci was also:
A sculptor
Musician
Writer
Architect
Scientist
Botanist
Mathematician
Leonardo the Inventor
In fact, he invented earlier versions of many items we have today. These include the armored tank, the hang glider, scissors, the life preserver, diving equipment, the catapult, a movable bridge, a robot, the machine gun, a submarine, the parachute, the helicopter, and much, much more! He is considered the epitome of the Renaissance Man because he possessed an “unquenchable curiosity” and a “feverishly inventive imagination.” He researched the workings of the human body by spending time among corpses, studying them, and sketching out anatomical details.
He studied birds and flight and even invented a flying machine. Being fascinated to the point of obsession, he even tried countless ways to fly himself. Although as far as we know, he never quite achieved it.
Leonardo left thousands of notes illustrated with his sketches in what have now been put into notebooks, or codices. But out of all his drawings, paintings, experiments, and inventions, his most famous work is the Mona Lisa.
Did you know that out of all the paintings Da Vinci began, he only finished 6 of them? Because he was an absolute genius and incredibly inquisitive about the world around him, he had a very short attention span and was easily distracted. So unfortunately, he found it difficult to finish an art project before turning his attention elsewhere. This got him in trouble more than once.
Da Vinci Death
Unlike many other artists, Da Vinci actually achieved fame and success while he was still alive. But he has become world-famous since his death in 1519. Giorgio Vasari said of him, “Leonardo da Vinci was a man of regal spirit and tremendous breadth of mind, and his name became so famous that not only was he esteemed during his lifetime, but his reputation endured and became even greater after his death.” How true this is! In fact, over 500 years after he lived, he is still considered a genius and one of the most gifted men to have ever lived.
Want to experiment with Da Vinci’s art? In my Mixing with the Masters, Volume One lesson on Da Vinci, we learn even more about him and create three pieces inspired by some of his masterworks.
Purchase the entire course (including six master artists) for $147, or just the Da Vinci lesson for $25
Book Recommendations for Further Study:
Leonardo: Beautiful Dreamer
Who Was Leonardo da Vinci?Leonardo da VinciLeonardo Da Vinci (Great Names)Journal of Inventions: Leonardo da VinciLeonardo’s Anatomical Drawings (Dover Art Library)
From the Masterpiece Society…
Da Vinci Art Appreciation StudyBuy NowLeonardo da Vinci Art LessonsBuy NowLeonardo da Vinci Spotlight PacketBuy Now
Da Vinci Virtual Tours
If you were to visit the Louvre Museum in Paris, you would only be allowed approximately 17 seconds to look at the Mona Lisa as you are herded through with the crowds of people who want to see her. But fortunately, you can view an extreme close-up by clicking this link.
Below is a really cool video from the Louvre about their very first virtual reality project on the Mona Lisa called, “Beyond the Glass.” You can also check out more on this from the Louvre’s site here.
Below is a video on the Mona Lisa from Smarthistory:
Could there possibly be an earlier version of the Mona Lisa? Check out this video below and see what you think:
Below is a video on the Last Supper from Smarthistory:
Take a look at Virgin and Child with St Anne and St John the Baptist from Smarthistory:
This video is about Letter to the Duke of Milan from Smarthistory:
Check out Virgin of the Rocks from Smarthistory:
Catch a glimpse of Adoration of the Magi from Smarthistory:
