Leonardo Da Vinci's Major Accomplishments

Leonardo Da Vinci, an artist in the Renaissance era, influenced many painters by his major works throughout his entire life. Leonardo spread the Renaissance movement to Western Europe, when he moved to Paris with Francis I. He dedicated his life to making amazing pieces of art to show the whole world, and many people still study his works today and are fascinated with his paintings. Leonardo also thought humanism was vain and a waste of time. During his life time, he went through depression, where nothing satisfied him. Leonardo had a rough childhood, with his parents not being married and his step mother, being the only person who cared for him, died. Leonardo was born illegitimately on April 15, 1452 near the city of Vinci, twenty miles

Two years after he painted the angel from Verrocchio’s painting, he created the “Portrait of Ginerva de’ Benci.” This is the only painting that is now in the United States. He painted the portrait from 1474-1476 of a sulky and unforgiving lady. Ginerva was sixteen years old and from a wealthy and educated family. People think that it might have been painted for her betrothal. He made the “Madonna of the Carnation” from 1478-1480. This was similar to the portrait of Ginerva de’ Benci, but it was of Mary. He painted “The Adoration of the Magi” in 1481. Leonardo was commissioned to paint this in front of the altar at the monastery of San Donato a Scopeto, but it was never completed. Leonardo painted “Virgin of the Rocks” from 1483-1486. There were two versions of this painting, and they portrayed Madonna and Christ child with John the Baptist and an angel. The painting had a rocky setting. Leonardo painted the “Lady with an Ermine” from 1489-1490. Cecilia Gallerani, featured in the portrait, might have been one of Ludovico Sforza’s, the Duke of Milan, mistresses. The painting displayed geometry and math. He created “The Last Supper” in 1498. This masterpiece took three years to complete and was commissioned by Ludovico while Leonardo was working on his statue of the horse. “The Last Supper” is the most studied painting in the world. It was painted on the wall of dining room hall in the Dominican monastery in Milan. He was told what to paint, and that was Jesus telling the disciples someone would betray him. Leonardo painted “Mona Lisa” or “La Gioconda” from 1503-1505. This is his most famous painting of a wealthy merchant’s wife in Florence. “Mona Lisa” was the first painting ever set outdoors, and is unique as she has no eyebrows or eyelashes. Leonardo created “The Virgin and Child with St. Anne” in 1510. This painting uses oil on wood and portrays