Six Controversial Facts about Leonardo da Vinci

VIVA English Site – Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci or known as Leonardo da Vinci was an artist, painter, sculptor, and writer. Leonardo da Vinci was famous for painting and making sculptures during the Renaissance.

Not only that, but also, he was famous for being smart in the fields of anatomy, geology, astronomy, and others. Leonardo da Vinci is one of the greatest artists of all time with several works worldwide, including the Mona Lisa, The Last Supper, and the Vitruvian Man.

Although famous for his work and intelligence, Leonardo da Vinci kept controversial facts. According to DailyArt Magazine, when Da Vinci died in 1519, he left behind more than 6,000 pages of journals filled with personal musings, grocery lists, and nasty jokes.

Here are some other controversial facts about the artist, Leonardo da Vinci.



Leonardo da Vinci.

Photo :

• U-Report

Known as a genius, it turns out that da Vinci just did not get many formal educations. He was only taught reading, writing, and basic mathematics.

But his artistic talent has been seen since childhood. At 14, he began an apprenticeship with the artist Andrea del Verrocchio. In addition to learning to sculpt and paint, Da Vinci received theoretical training and a range of technical skills including metalworking, carpentry, and drawing.

2. His First Drawing Never Finished



Pameran seni Leonardo da Vinci dan Michelangelo di Mexico.

Photo :

• TVOne

In 1478, Da Vinci received his first independent drawing order, painting an altar for the Chapel of St. Bernard. Then in 1481, he was commissioned to paint for the monastery of San Donato.

But Da Vinci left both of them when he moved to Milan from Florentia to work with the Sforza Family. Under the patronage of the Sforza Family, Da Vinci painted The Last Supper in the dining room of the Santa Maria Delle Grazie Convent.

3. His Biggest Project was Destroyed by French Troops



Sketsa Karya Leonardo da Vinci

Photo :

• U-Report

Da Vinci's significant work was for the Count of Milan, Ludovico il Moro whose name was Gran Cavallo or Leonardo's Horse in 1482.

The statue was proposed by his noble father Francesco Sforza on a horse that was more than 25 feet (7.62 meters) tall and was intended to be the largest equestrian statue in the world at its time.

Da Vinci even spent nearly 17 years planning the statue. But before it was finished, French troops invaded Milan in 1499.



Lukisan Leonardo Da Vinci

Photo :

• http://cutpen.com

Da Vinci was born in a farmhouse, in Tuscany on April 15, 1452. He was the son of Ser Piero, a wealthy Florentine notary, and a peasant woman named Caterina. The couple is reportedly not married.

Both have 12 children from other couples. Da Vinci was the only child they had together. At that time, an illegitimate child was not expected to follow his father's profession as a notary. Instead, it was to Da Vinci's advantage because he pursued his interest in the arts.



Leonardo da Vinci

Photo :

• Wikipedia

When Da Vinci was 16 years old, his father, Piero married Francesca Lanfredini who died childlessly.

Piero's legal heirs went to his third wife Margherita who gave birth to six children and his fourth and last wife Lucrezia Cortigiani who bore him six more.

In total, Da Vinci had 12 half-siblings who were much younger than him. Even the last one was born when Da Vinci was 40 years old.

In 1476, Da Vinci and three other young men were charged with the crime of sodomy. The incident involved a male prostitute. But the charges were dismissed because of a lack of evidence against Da Vinci.

Halaman Selanjutnya

Da Vinci even spent nearly 17 years planning the statue. But before it was finished, French troops invaded Milan in 1499.