Leonardo da Vinci, a self-educated Renaissance Man, excelled in painting, engineering, and inventing. Renowned for "Mona Lisa" and "The Last Supper," his journals reveal designs for inventions like the bicycle, helicopter, and airplane, showcasing his intellect and imagination.
Leonardo da Vinci, born out of wedlock in Vinci, Italy, in 1452, was raised by his father and uncle. Despite his mother's absence, he grew up to be a renowned artist, inventor, and thinker, known simply as Leonardo or "Il Florentine."
Da Vinci apprenticed under Verrocchio, mastering painting and sculpting. He gained independence at 20, started a major artwork but abandoned it for Milan. There, he worked for the Sforza dynasty, including a massive bronze horse statue, ultimately destroyed by war.