His early years
Leonardo Da Vinci was born in the town of Vinci, that is where he got the last part of his name , He had no surname, Da Vinci means "of Vinci". He was born on April 15, 1452. His full birth name was Lionardo di ser Piero da Vinci. Not much is known about his early life. In some of his notes that he made in his childhood, talked about his obsession of creating a flying machine. He also referred to a time when a bird flew onto his shoulder and repeatedly put its tail in his mouth. Leonardo Da Vinci did not get a very good education. He was raised mostly by his father and stepmother. When he was 14 he started apprenticing with the artist Verrocchio. He learned all sorts of art, such as leather work, drawing, and sculpting. Verrocchio had a huge influence on Leonardo. By the time he was 20 he was a qualified artist. He then made his own workshop. For two years his location was completely unknown. There is much debate about his early life.
His Influence
Leonardo did not have much of an influence on the science and technology of the time, because most of his inventions were not built, but they influence us today because we have found is notes. His artwork also influences artist today. His artwork stands out because of its affect on the people who see it. The Mona Lisa is a great example of his great art works, it is so detailed, and realistic that it is considered a priceless painting. The Last Supper is another influential piece of artwork. The aerial screw also influenced the invention of the helicopter. His study of the body was so far ahead of his time. He even discovered that veins and arteries can clog, which no one knew about this at the time. He is often considered a man ahead of his time, which in many ways is true. He was a great inventor and artist who still influences us today.
Death
Leonardo Da Vinci died May 2nd 1519 in France. He was sixty seven. He died of natural causes. He spent many of his last few years in the Vatican. Francis who was the king of France had become a close friend to Leonardo. The king was said to have held Leonardo Da Vinci's head as he died. Twenty years after Leonardo's death Francis said "There has never been another man born in the world who knew as much as Leonardo, not so much about painting, sculpture and architecture, as that he was a very great philosopher."