Leonardo da Vinci: Renaissance Master

Leonardo da Vinci: Renaissance Master

Life and Times

Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) was an Italian polymath of the Renaissance period. Born out of wedlock to a notary and a peasant woman in Vinci, Italy, Leonardo's insatiable curiosity and keen intellect led him to become one of the most diversely talented individuals in history.

Portrait of Leonardo da Vinci

"Learning never exhausts the mind." - Leonardo da Vinci

Famous Works

Mona Lisa (La Gioconda)

Perhaps Leonardo's most famous work, the Mona Lisa is renowned for its innovative techniques and the enigmatic smile of its subject.

Mona Lisa

The Last Supper

This mural painting represents the scene of the Last Supper of Jesus with his apostles. It is one of the world's most famous paintings.

The Last Supper

Contributions to Science and Engineering

Leonardo's notebooks reveal a spirit of scientific inquiry and mechanical inventiveness that were centuries ahead of their time. He conceptualized a helicopter, a tank, concentrated solar power, and outlined a rudimentary theory of plate tectonics.

Leonardo's Flying Machine

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." - Leonardo da Vinci

Legacy

Leonardo da Vinci's work has influenced countless artists and thinkers, and his inventions have inspired many modern-day technologies. His approach to scientific inquiry, combining keen observation with imaginative visualization, continues to inspire researchers and innovators today.