Leonardo and Technology

Medici Dynasty Established

Jan 1, 1452

The Medici Dynasty was important for Leonardo, as their commissions helped him build his career as an apprentice.

Medici Rule

Period: Jan 1, 1452 to Jan 1, 1519

The Medici Family ruled in Florence, Italy. Their commissions led to many cultural, technological and architectural developments.

Leonardo Da Vinci Born

Apr 15, 1452

Leonardo grew up in Florence, Italy.

Apprenticeship with Andrea del Verrocchio Begins

Jan 1, 1466

Florence Cathedral at WikipediaLeonardo began his apprenticeship at age 14. Verroccio's involvement in completing the Duomo at Santa Maria del Fiore exposed Leonardo to Brunalleschi's machines, designs and drawings which influenced him greatly. The role was also professionally visual (Misa 2011, p.3).

Niccolo Machiavelli Born

May 3, 1469

Leonardo and Machavelli first met through service to Cesare Borgia. The two worked together on commissions such as a hydraulic-engineering scheme.

Begins Employment for Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan

Jan 1, 1482

Leonardo served as the court engineer from 1482 to 1499. His main duties included military technology, weapons, and defence development. He developed high-technology gunpowder weapons, cannons, and fortifications.

Designs Lavish Wedding for Sforza

Jan 1, 1489

Leonardo was also responsible to construct "court culture" as required by Sforza. For one particular wedding, he designed a heaven and earth theme equipt with costumes and moving stage platforms and settings (Misa 2011, p. 9).

Leonardo's Technological Dreams

Jan 1, 1495

Leonardo recorded drawings of his "technological dreams" in his notebooks. These included inventions that he did not have the technological capabilities to build, such as a human flying machine (Misa 2011, p.7).

French Overthrow Sforza

Jan 1, 1499

Leonardo loses his appointment as court engineer when the French overthrew the Duke of Milan. He begins traveling all over Italy in search of defense comissions.

Leonardo and Art

Jan 1, 1500

"The Virgin and The Child" DrawingLeonardo returned to Florence in1500 and spent the year focused on art. This is due to not finding a defense commission.

Leonardo is Commissioned by Cesare Borgia

Jan 1, 1502

Leonardo began working for Borgia as a military engineer in 1502. It was during his commission that he met and collaborated with Machiavelli.

Leonardo's Studies of Anatomy

Jan 1, 1507

He studied the human anatomy while experiencing a lul in military activity. Many drawings in his notebooks were devoted to various body parts and his theories about the body's relationship to geomety, geology, and the cosmos (Misa 2011, p. 11).

Patrionage from Louis XII of France

Jan 1, 1508

Leonardo spent his last years from 1508 to 1513 serving the French King as a philosopher and designing courtly services and entertainments. This commission allowed him time to explore his theoretical interests.

Leonardo's Death

May 2, 1519

Leonardo died as a member of the royal vourt of France.