Leonardo da VinciLeonardo da Vinci is one of the greatest artists of the Renaissance time period, especially in sculpturing, architecture, engineering, and science and painting. His new styles and techniques in painting have influenced many Italian and other artists around the world. Leonardo's did also scientific studies and experiments in anatomy, optics and hydraulics. Many of these studies have anticipated modern scientific developments.Leonardo was born in Vinci, near Florence, where his family settled in the mid-1460. He was given the best education in Florence, a major intellectual and artistic center of Italy. About in 1466 he was apprenticed as an assistant to Andrea del Verrocch ...view middle of the document...
At the same time, Leonardo painted several portraits, but the only one that survived is the Mona Lisa. The portrait full of mystery has been painted on a 77 x 53 cm large poplar wood. Originally the painting was larger than today. Two columns, on the right and the other one on the left side of Mona Lisa, have been cut. That is why it is not easy to recognize that Mona Lisa is sitting on a terrace. Also many other details are not visible today, because they are partially damaged and some parts of Mona Lisa are painted over.It is thought, that Francesco di Bartolommeo di Zanobi del Giocondo, one of the noblest citizens of Florence ordered the portrait of his wife from Leonardo. The woman in the painting is thought to be Lisa di Antonio Maria di Noldo Ghererdini. Leonardo started the work in 1503; at this time Mona Lisa was 24 years old.He worked at the portrait for the next four years. When Leonardo left Florence in 1507 he did not sell the painting to Francesco di Bartolommeo di Zanobi del Giocondo who had ordered the painting, but he kept it for himself. Several believe, that Leonardo did not hand over the painting, beca...