Leonardo da Vinci - Chronological Life History

Birth (1452)

April 15, 1452: Leonardo da Vinci was born in Vinci, a small town in Tuscany, Italy. He was the illegitimate son of Ser Piero da Vinci, a notary, and a peasant woman named Caterina.

Apprenticeship in Florence (1466)

At age 14, Leonardo moved to Florence and became an apprentice to Andrea del Verrocchio, where he learned painting, sculpture, and mechanical arts, along with anatomy and engineering.

Enrolls in Guild of Saint Luke (1472)

At the age of 20, Leonardo was accepted into the Guild of Saint Luke, marking the beginning of his independent career as an artist.

Early Works and Commissions (1475–1480)

1475: Leonardo contributed to Verrocchio’s The Baptism of Christ. He also produced works like The Annunciation and Ginevra de' Benci during this period.

Moves to Milan (1482)

Leonardo moved to Milan to work for Duke Ludovico Sforza. One of his famous works from this time is The Last Supper (1495–1498).

Scientific and Anatomical Studies (1489–1490)

During this period, Leonardo became deeply interested in anatomy, creating detailed sketches and conducting studies that were ahead of his time.

Flees Milan (1499)

Milan was invaded by French forces, and Leonardo fled, spending the next few years traveling in Italy.

Travels in Italy (1500–1503)

Leonardo traveled to Venice and Florence. In Florence, he created the cartoon for the Virgin and Child with Saint Anne, and in 1502, worked as a military engineer for Cesare Borgia.

Mona Lisa and Return to Florence (1503–1506)

Leonardo began work on the Mona Lisa in 1503, a painting he would continue to refine for years. He also started the mural for the Battle of Anghiari, but left it unfinished.

Return to Milan (1506)

Leonardo returned to Milan, focusing on scientific studies and making significant contributions in hydrodynamics, geology, and mechanics.

Moves to Rome (1513)

In 1513, Leonardo moved to Rome under the patronage of Giuliano de' Medici, but did not receive many artistic commissions, dedicating most of his time to science.

Moves to France (1516)

Leonardo moved to France at the invitation of King Francis I, where he spent his final years as “Premier Painter, Engineer, and Architect to the King.”

Death (1519)

May 2, 1519: Leonardo da Vinci died at the age of 67 in Amboise, France. He was buried in the Chapel of Saint-Hubert at the Château d'Amboise.

Legacy

Leonardo's scientific studies, sketches, and artistic works, such as The Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, have had a lasting impact on art, science, and engineering.