Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Leonardo da Vinci was an Italian polymath of the High Renaissance who was active as a painter, draughtsman, engineer, and scientist. Although he is best known for his paintings such as the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, his interests spanned a vast array of disciplines. His notebooks contain observations and inventions in fields ranging from anatomy and astronomy to engineering and flight.
Born in the Republic of Florence, Leonardo was apprenticed to the renowned artist Verrocchio. He later worked in Milan under Ludovico Sforza, and then traveled through Italy, serving various patrons. His scientific studies were often conducted in parallel with his artistic pursuits. He meticulously dissected human bodies to understand anatomy, drew intricate designs for machines centuries ahead of their time, and studied the natural world with an insatiable curiosity.
His legacy is not just in his art, but in his approach to knowledge – one that sought to understand the interconnectedness of all things. He is considered one of the greatest painters of all time and perhaps the most diversely talented person ever to have lived.
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