The Life of Leonardo da Vinci

Birth of Leonardo

Apr 15, 1452

Leonardo is born in the village of Anchiano, near the town of Vinci. Leonardo was born to Ser Piero, a notary, and Caterina, a peasant girl; his parents were never married.

Leonardo's Career Starts

Jan 1, 1467

At the age of 15, Leonardo is sent to Florence to work as apprentice to Andrea De Verrocchio, but the exact date is still not confirmed.

The Painters' Guild

Jan 1, 1472

20 year-old Leonardo is accepted into the painters' guild of Florence. after 5 years of apprenticeship.

Leonardo is Accused

Jan 1, 1476

Leonardo is accused of sodomy; he is publicly humiliated although the charges are later dropped.

Leonardo's Annuciation

Jan 1, 1478

The Annunciation is painted. The work, initially credited to Da Vinci, is now believed to have been painted by Lorenzo di Credi.

Beginning of The Adoration of the Magi

Jan 1, 1481

Leonardo begins work on The Adoration of the Magi, an altarpiece for the Monastery of San Donato at Scopeto.
He sketches many studies.

Leonardo Moves to Milan

Jan 1, 1482

Leonardo moves to Milan to work in the service of the city's duke, Ludovico Sforza. He gains the title of "painter and engineer of the duke.

Virgin of the Rocks

Jan 1, 1483

Leonardo is commissioned to paint the Virgin of the Rocks at the age of 31 in Milan, Italy.

Lady with an Ermine

Jan 1, 1485

Leonardo paints Lady with an Ermine and a plague has broken out in Milan, in which Leonardo would eventually leave.

The Last Supper

Jan 1, 1495

Leonardo begins work on The Last Supper in the refectory of the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan.

The Last Supper Completed

Jan 1, 1498

The Last Supper is completeda and Leonardo decorates the walls and ceiling of the Sala delle Asse. He also made his first attempts at planning a flying machine around this time.

Leonardo Goes Back to Venice

Jan 1, 1499

With the duke Ludovico Sforza'a fall from power, Da Vinci leaves Milan and spends a short time in Venice.

Virgin and Child

Jan 1, 1500

Leonardo begins painting the Virgin and Child with Saint Anne, a project that he only finishes after 10 years.

Leonardo Moves to Florence

Jan 1, 1500

Leonardo and Pacioli go to Mantua, then Leonardo continues on to Florence. In Mantua, he draws the Portrait in Profile of Isabelle d'Este. In Florence, he paints the Virgin and Child with Saint Anne.

Working for Cesare Borgia

Jan 1, 1502

Leonardo begins work as senior military architect and general engineer for Cesare Borgia, son of Pope Alexander VI.

The Mona Lisa

Jan 1, 1503

Leonardo is commissioned to paint the Mona Lisa. Mona Lisa (also known as La Gioconda) is a 16th century portrait painted in oil on a poplar panel by Leonardo da Vinci during the Italian Renaissance.

Painting a Mural

Jan 1, 1503

Leonardo is commission to paint a mural for the council hall in Florence's Palazzo Vecchio, which is to be the Battle of Anghiari, a work that would remain unfinished.

Louis XII

Jan 1, 1507

Leonardo is appointed Louis XII's painter and engineer. He paints a second version of the Virgin of the Rocks. He meets his beautiful young assistant, Francesco Melzi. Also, he travels to Florence in a lawsuit against his brothers of his inheritance from his uncle Francesco.

Moving to Rome

Jan 1, 1513

Living in the Vatican, he studies the properties of mirrors. It is perhaps at this time that he paints the Turin Self-portrait. It was in this year that Leo X (Medici) became pope; the previous year the Medici family returned to power in Florence

St. John the Baptist

Jan 1, 1515

Leonardo paints St. John the Baptist. He also constructs a mechanical lion for the coronation of the new king of France, Francis I.

The King of France

Jan 1, 1516

Leonardo permanently leaves Italy for France, where he will serve Francis I in his court in Amboise.

Leonardo's Death

May 2, 1519

Leonardo dies in France at an age of 62, a few weeks after his 62nd birthday.