Autobiography of Leonardo da Vinci
Childhood
Born on 15th April 1452, I emerged into a world teeming with possibilities, in the small Tuscan town of Vinci. As an illegitimate son of a local lawyer, Ser Piero, and a peasant woman, Caterina, I did not receive the traditional education a child of my time typically would. However, I possessed a tireless curiosity that became my ultimate educator.
In my early years, I spent much of my time exploring the surrounding countryside. I became fascinated with the intricate beauty of nature, meticulously observing and sketching flora and fauna. These sketches were the embryonic manifestations of my future works. My father, recognizing my natural inclination for art, apprenticed me to the renowned workshop of Andrea del Verrocchio in Florence.
Artistic Journey
Florence, 1466 – 1472. Under Verrocchio’s guidance, I learned the technical skills of painting, sculpture, and mechanical arts, swiftly surpassing my peers. While in his atelier, I discovered a passion for combining art and science, each discipline enriching the other.
In 1472, I was inducted into the painter’s guild of Florence, setting me on the path to becoming an independent master. My first large painting, “The Adoration of the Magi” for Florence’s San Donato, a Scopeto monastery, established my reputation as a significant artist.
Milan, 1482 – 1499. Venturing to Milan at the behest of Ludovico Sforza, I found a patron who appreciated not only my artistic talents but my skills as an engineer and scientist as well. My time in Milan brought forth iconic works such as “The Last Supper”, a piece that conveyed emotional narrative through gestures and expressions. This period also saw the creation of designs for innovative machines – everything from musical instruments to military weapons.
Returning to Florence, 1500 – 1506. I left Milan when French forces invaded, returning to Florence where my interest in science continued to flourish. My studies spanned human anatomy, physics, astronomy, and countless other fields. During this time, I started to sketch what would become one of my most iconic works – the Mona Lisa.
Later Years
Rome, 1513 – 1516. Under the patronage of Pope Leo X, I continued to study, sketch, and invent, though my output of finished works slowed significantly. However, I began to formulate an understanding of the earth’s geological past, hypothesizing about erosion and fossil formation – ideas far ahead of my time.
Amboise, France, 1516 – 1519. In my final years, I accepted the invitation of Francis I, King of France, and moved to the Château de Cloux. There, I could continue my studies without worry for material needs. I passed my last days in reflection, surrounded by my notebooks filled with ideas and observations from a lifetime of ceaseless curiosity.
Legacy
I left the world on 2nd May 1519, but my legacy extends far beyond my mortal life. I have been called a genius, a polymath, a visionary. To me, though, I am Leonardo from Vinci, a man of unquenchable curiosity and feverishly inventive imagination.
In my lifetime, I bridged the gap between art and science, intertwining these disciplines in a way that changed the course of the Renaissance. I’ve tried to capture the wonder and complexity of nature in my work, expressing its intricate relationships and divine proportions.
My notebooks, filled with sketches and observations, are perhaps my greatest legacy. They provide a window into my mind, revealing my thoughts on topics from anatomy to zoology, music to mechanics, philosophy to flight.
Despite my achievements, I believe that I am still learning. For, as I’ve often said, “Learning never exhausts the mind.” Remember me not as Leonardo the great artist or the genius inventor, but as Leonardo the perpetual student, driven by an insatiable desire to understand the world around me.
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