Leonardo da Vinci was a polymath of the Italian Renaissance who achieved legendary status during his lifetime due to his prowess in multiple fields such as art, science, engineering, anatomy, and invention.
His comprehensive understanding of the natural world led him to insights that were centuries ahead of their time, and his art remains among the most celebrated and influential throughout history.
Here, we delve into a list of important facts about Leonardo da Vinci that showcase his genius and the breadth of his talents.
Leonardo da Vinci Facts
Fact 1: Leonardo da Vinci Was an Illegitimate Child
Leonardo was born on April 15, 1452, in Vinci, Italy, as the illegitimate son of a notary, Piero da Vinci, and a peasant woman, Caterina. Being illegitimate meant he could not inherit his father’s wealth, which influenced his early access to formal education.
Despite this, he received an informal education that honed his artistic talents. Interestingly, his illegitimate status did not prevent him from rising to immense prominence.
Fact 2: Leonardo da Vinci Received Little Formal Education
Leonardo was largely self-educated, receiving little to no formal schooling beyond basic reading, writing, and arithmetic. He educated himself through extensive reading and experimentation, becoming a voracious learner.
His lack of classical education may have led him to approach problems with a fresh perspective, unfettered by traditional methods.
Fact 3: ‘The Last Supper’ Has Survived Numerous Threats Throughout History
Leonardo da Vinci’s mural, “The Last Supper,” has faced many dangers over the centuries, including attempts at destruction during wartime. During World War II, bombs fell on Santa Maria delle Grazie, the convent housing the painting, which narrowly survived.
The mural has also struggled with deterioration due to Leonardo’s experimental techniques and environmental factors.
Today, it remains one of the most studied and revered artworks in history.
Fact 4: Leonardo da Vinci Dissected Human Corpses in the Name of Science
Leonardo’s fascination with human anatomy led him to dissect over 30 human corpses illegally. Through these dissections, he created detailed anatomical drawings that were centuries ahead of their time.
These studies contributed significantly to the understanding of human anatomy, although many of his findings went unpublished during his lifetime. His anatomical drawings are considered some of the finest ever produced.
Fact 5: Leonardo da Vinci Was a Vegetarian for Ethical Reasons
Research suggests that Leonardo chose to be a vegetarian, a rarity in his time, due to his love for animals and ethical concerns over their treatment. Many accounts describe him buying caged birds just to set them free.
His dietary choices highlighted his reverence for life, a theme that permeates much of his work and personal philosophy.
Despite this, da Vinci’s contemporaries often found his vegetarianism curious or odd.
Fact 6: Leonardo da Vinci Sketched Designs for a Flying Machine
Leonardo da Vinci was well ahead of his time, conceptualizing a flying machine that resembled a helicopter. In his notebook, he sketched a design coded as the “Aerial Screw,” which was meant to compress air to achieve lift.
While his design was never built during his lifetime, it signaled the beginning of human aspirations to achieve human flight.
His ideas on aerodynamics and flight would inspire future generations of aviators.
Fact 7: Leonardo da Vinci Was Known for Procrastination and Leaving Works Unfinished
Leonardo often procrastinated on his projects for years, leaving many of his commissioned works unfinished.
He was notorious for being easily distracted by new ideas and investigations, contributing to the lengthy completion times.
His masterpiece, the “Mona Lisa,” itself took several years to complete, with some experts claiming it was never truly finished to his satisfaction. This habit sometimes frustrated his patrons who expected timely delivery of his creations.
Fact 8: The ‘Mona Lisa’ Was Leonardo da Vinci’s Favorite Artwork, and He Carried It with Him
The “Mona Lisa” is believed to have been Leonardo’s favorite painting; he carried it with him until his death in 1519.
The painting’s renowned smile and the mysteries surrounding the subject’s identity have captivated audiences for centuries.
Leonardo’s attachment to the painting suggests a deep personal connection to the work, perhaps encompassing elements of his own identity. Today, millions of visitors flock to the Louvre Museum in Paris to gaze upon da Vinci’s beloved masterpiece.
Fact 9: Leonardo da Vinci Invented An Early Version of the Ball Bearing
Leonardo’s ingenuity led him to invent an early version of the ball bearing to reduce friction in machinery. The use of ball bearings is a common element in modern mechanical systems, playing a critical role in contemporary engineering.
His design demonstrates how he applied the principles of physics practically to solve engineering problems.
Though not utilized in his time, da Vinci’s invention shows his incredible foresight into mechanical innovations.
Fact 10: Leonardo da Vinci’s Notebooks Are Written in Mirror Script
Leonardo’s notebooks were primarily written in Italian using mirror script, a technique where the text is written backward, from right to left.
Some believe that this was done to keep his ideas secret or that it was easier for Leonardo, being left-handed, to avoid smudging the ink.
His notebooks contain over 13,000 pages of notes and drawings, covering various subjects from anatomy to flight. The mirror script adds an element of intrigue and genius to Leonardo’s already mysterious and intellectual image.
Fact 11: Leonardo da Vinci Wrote and Created Art with His Left Hand
Leonardo was left-handed, which was unusual for his time and often negatively stigmatized.
He wrote with his left hand in mirror script and also used it to create his artworks, adapting his techniques to suit his left-handedness.
Being left-handed influenced how he viewed and interacted with the world, possibly enhancing his unique artistic style.
Fact 12: Leonardo da Vinci’s Artistic Genius Was Recognized Early in His Life
Leonardo’s talent was evident early on, and he was apprenticed to the renowned workshop of Andrea del Verrocchio in Florence at the age of 14. In this environment, he was exposed to a wide range of technical skills and intellectual ideas, nurturing his voracious curiosity and diverse interests.
His skill became so refined that, according to legend, Verrocchio was so humbled by Leonardo’s abilities that he declared he would never paint again.
By his mid-20s, Leonardo had already created some notable works, marking the beginning of his prolific journey as an artist.
Fact 13: Leonardo da Vinci Was an Accomplished Musician
In addition to his visual artistry, Leonardo was also a skilled musician and played the lyre beautifully.
He often performed at various events and was known for his musical talent just as much as for his painting skills.
Leonardo even designed and crafted his own musical instruments, further showcasing his multi-disciplinary talents.
Music played a significant part in his life and influenced his approach to harmony and rhythm in his visual artworks.
Fact 14: Leonardo da Vinci Had Diverse Interests, Including Engineering and Mapmaking
Leonardo had a wide array of interests and talents, including engineering, mapmaking, and botany. He created detailed maps, such as the town plan of Imola, to aid in military defenses, displaying his strategic mind and attention to detail.
His engineering sketches depicted various machines, some practical and others purely conceptual, demonstrating his ability to think both practically and imaginatively.
Leonardo’s curiosity led him to study nature intensively, resulting in accurate botanical illustrations.
Fact 15: Leonardo da Vinci’s Final Years Were Spent in France, Where He Passed Away
In 1516, Leonardo da Vinci accepted an invitation from King Francis I of France to become the royal painter, engineer, and architect.
He spent the last years of his life in a manor house, Château du Clos Lucé, near the king’s residence at the Château d’Amboise.
Leonardo continued his work in various disciplines, advising the king and working on his personal projects until his death on May 2, 1519.
FAQs About Leonardo da Vinci
How many paintings did Leonardo da Vinci complete?
Leonardo da Vinci is known to have completed fewer than 20 paintings during his lifetime, with the “Mona Lisa,” “The Last Supper,” and “The Vitruvian Man” being among his most famous works.
Despite this modest number, his impact on art and culture is immeasurable, as his masterpieces have become some of the most iconic images in art history.
Did Leonardo da Vinci’s inventions ever get built during his lifetime?
Many of Leonardo da Vinci’s inventions remained sketches in his notebooks and were never constructed during his lifetime. However, they were incredibly detailed and showcased his deep understanding of mechanics and physics.
It wasn’t until centuries later that some of his ideas were tested and found to be remarkably ahead of their time.
What was Leonardo da Vinci’s role at the court of Milan?
Leonardo da Vinci served as a court artist and engineer for the Duke of Milan, Ludovico Sforza, starting in 1482. During his time there, he carried out a variety of tasks, which included painting, sculpting, and designing both practical and decorative projects.
His role at the Milanese court allowed him to work on some of his most significant artistic and engineering achievements.
Why do people refer to Leonardo da Vinci as a “Renaissance Man”?
Leonardo da Vinci is often referred to as a “Renaissance Man” because he was skilled in many areas, embodying the Renaissance ideal of the polymath or a person of wide-ranging knowledge and learning.
His achievements in art, science, engineering, anatomy, and other fields demonstrate a level of versatility and genius that was emblematic of the Renaissance period’s spirit of discovery and learning.