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Leonardo was born in 1452, in the village of Vinci, outside the city of Florence. His father was a wealthy lawyer , and his mother was a peasant woman. His parents were not married, and Leonardo was illegitimate, which carried with it a great deal of social stigma, at the time. He could not legally bear his father’s surname , and so he was named after his native village, Vinci <ref> McCurdy, Edward. The mind of Leonardo da Vinci (London, Courier Corporation, 2013), p 4 </ref>. It appears that the young boy received little or no formal education. We do know that at the age of 15 , he was apprenticed to Andrea del Verrocchio (1435–1488). He was one of the leading artists of his day and was a great influence on the young Leonardo, especially in his dynamic representations of the human figure. After the completion of his apprenticeship, the young man from Vinci became an assistant to Verrocchio and his skill soon became well-known. His style was considered to be very original, especially his use of light and shade (McCurdy, p. 34</ref>In either 1477/1488, Leonardo set up his own studio and soon was receiving major commissions.

At this timeAfter the completion of his apprenticeship, he was accused of being a homosexual became an assistant to Verrocchio, and if he had been found guilty he could have been executedhis extraordinary skills became well-known. Leonardo His artistic style was able considered to have the charges dropped but be original, primarily because of his reputation suffered. In 1481 he painted the Adoration unique use of the Magi, which made him famous in Florence light and beyondshade. However <ref>(McCurdy, the work was unfinished because he was invited to Milan by its powerful Dukep. 34)</ref> In either 1477/1488, Leonardo greatly impressed the Duke set up his studio and he presented himself as a skilled engineer. Leonardo painted several outstanding works in Milan such as the Virgin of the Rock. It soon was also at this time that he produced one of the most famous works in all art history the Last Supper. During his time in Milan he also began to secretly study dead bodies and also worked as a military engineer. Da Vinci also created some bronze sculptures for the Duke of Milan, none of which sadly have survivedreceiving significant commissions.

In 1499At this time, when the French invaded Italy, Leonardo fled the city and stayed in Venice. Here he was active as accused of being a military engineer homosexual, and drew up plans to create a series of naval defenses. In 1500 the artist, who was by now one of the most famous men in all of Italy returned to his native Florence. Here if he continued to work on several artistic projectshad been found guilty, but he appears to could have left many uncompletedbeen executed. Many of Leonardo had the projects from this period are only known from Leonardo’s drawingscharges dropped, which are considered to be masterpiecesbut his reputation suffered. In 1506, Leonardo worked for a time as a military engineer for 1481 his reputation rebounded after he painted the notorious Cesare Borgia, who was ruthlessly carving a state for himself out Adoration of Papal lands the Magi This work made him famous in central ItalyFlorence and beyond.

Around this periodHowever, the work was unfinished because he painted his most famous work, the Mona Lisawas invited to Milan by its powerful Duke. The identity of the woman in the portrait has never been established but Leonardo worked on it for impressed the rest of his life Duke, and took it with him on his travelshe presented himself as a skilled engineer. The Florentine returned to Leonardo painted several outstanding works in Milan in 1506 and he worked on an equestrian statue and continued his scientific studiessuch as the Virgin of the Rock. In particular, he It was fascinated with anatomy and also at this influenced his time that he produced one of the most famous works in all art, greatlyhistory the Last Supper. During these years he filled his notebooks with his observations, ideastime in Milan, he also began to study dead bodies and drawings on worked as a range military engineer secretly. Da Vinci also created some bronze sculptures for the Duke of subjects. One common theme in his notebook is his fascination with movementMilan, growth, and actionnone of which sadly have survived.

In 1499, when the French invaded Italy, Leonardo fled the city and stayed in Venice. Here he was active as a military engineer and drew up plans to create a series of naval defenses. In 1500, Da Vinci, who was by now one of the most famous men in all of Italy, returned to his native Florence. Here he continued to work on several artistic projects, but he appears to have left many uncompleted. Many of the projects from this period are only known from Leonardo’s drawings, which are considered to be masterpieces. In 1506, Leonardo worked for a time as a military engineer for the notorious Cesare Borgia, who was ruthlessly carving a state for himself out of Papal lands in central Italy.  Around this period, he painted his most famous work, the Mona Lisa. Leonardo worked on the painting for the rest of his life and took it with him on his travels. Da Vinci returned to Milan in 1506, and he worked on an equestrian statue. Contemporaneously, he continued his scientific studies. In particular, he was fascinated with anatomy, and this dramatically influenced his art, greatly. During this time, he filled his notebooks with his observations, ideas, and drawings on a range of subjects. One common theme in his notebook is his fascination with movement, growth, and action.  In 1516, he was invited to Rome, but his time here was not that productive. While he was still esteemed as an artist, his work popularity had somewhat declined. This was not as popular as it once was. surprising because Da Vinci was a rather became an increasingly reclusive figure. Still, but he continued to fill his notebooks and made many plans for future projects. Most , but most of these projects never came to fruition. He  Still, he was regarded as a genius and was frequently consulted with by many leading figures, on both artistic issues, and on engineering projects.<ref>McCurdy, p 113</ref> The French king , Francis I , invited Leonardo and his disciples to his court in Fontainebleau. Leonardo was given great honors by Francis and he became the official court painter among other distinctions. The French monarch also provided him with a house and . In France, Leonardo continued to write in his notebooks and to make plans for projects, none of which he executed. He died in 1519 at the home that was given to him by the French king.