Leonardo da Vinci: Biography Timeline

Leonardo da Vinci: Biography Timeline

Period: Apr 5, 1452 to May 5, 1519

The Birth of Leonardo da Vinci

Apr 15, 1452

Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci (more commonly known as Leonardo da Vinci), was born on April 15th in 1452, in Anchiano, near Vinci, Italy. Da Vinci's father was Ser Piero Fruosino de Antonio da Vinci, who was a notary, or a clerk licensed to prepare legal documents. Leonardo da Vinci's mother was Caterina da Vinci. This event is important because it brought into the world a person who would go down in history as one of the most talented artists in the world.
(Livingston 423).

The Hundred Years' War Between France and England Ends

Oct 19, 1453

The Hundred Years' War between England and France lasted from 1337-1453. This war was the cause of Edward III, from England, who was fighitng for the French throne (because he was supposedly the grandson of Philip IV). This caused an uproar, so the two countries, England and France, fought. Although the French won the war, the English won many important battles. This was an important event because both countries gained a sense of nationalism, which affected their future. (Beck 359).

Germany: First Gutenberg Bible Printed

Aug 4, 1455

The first Gutenberg Bible was printed in Germany in 1455. The printing press had just started up, and this was a huge movement in industry. Also, religion was a major part of European culture, so the Bible was extremely important. Now that the Bibles were being printed, people would buy them for religious purposes. This event was very important to history because it was both an industrious and religious development. (Beck 378).

Leonardo da Vinci's Aprenticeship with Verrochio

Sep 3, 1465

At age 13-14 years old, Leonardo da Vinci had left Vinci to be an apprentice to Andrea del Verrocchio. Verrocchio was a famous Florentine artist. Over the course of 13 years, Verrocchio taught Leonardo da Vinci techniques of sketching and painting. Leonardo da Vinci had even assisted Andrea del Verrocchio in painting "The Baptism of Christ." This event is important because it started up da Vinci's career as a talented painter and artist, and would later bring him fame. (Moose 120).

Leonardo da Vinci's Apprenticeship with Andrea del Verrochio

Period: Sep 3, 1465 to May 27, 1478

When Leonardo was 13-14 years old, he left Vinci for an apprenticeship with a famous Florentine artist named Andrea del Verrochio. Under Verrochio, da Vinci studied art and painting. Leonardo da Vinci drew many sketches and painted several small paintings during his apprenticeship. This event is important because it was the start of da Vinci's career as an artist, and would later bring him much fame. (Moose 120).

Leonardo da Vinci is Accepted Into Guild of St.Luke ( Painters Guild of Florence)

Nov 6, 1472

In 1472, after some years of his apprenticeship with Verrochio, Leonardo da Vinci was welcomed into the Painters' Guild of Florence. Wealthy, powerful, and successful men of Florence were part of these groups, organized by specialties. Being accepted into the Painters' Guild of Florence was an honor for da Vinci. This event was so important because it showed that Leonardo da Vinci was extremely talented, caused jealousy, and was honored enough to get into an elite Painters' Guild. (Moose 120).

Leonardo Becomes An Independent Artist

May 27, 1478

Leonardo da Vinci became an independent in 1478. He was 26 years old at the time, and he had learned as much as he could from Verrochio. One of da Vinci's first independent paintings included "The Madonna With a Flower" and "Study For the Madonna and the Child With a Cat". This was an important event because it was the year Leonardo da Vinci finally became independent. Independence allowed him to achieve many heights in art, and he had painted so many master pieces. (Moose 120-23).

Leonardo da Vinci Travels to Milan

Mar 29, 1482

Leonardo da Vinci had traveled to Milan in the spring of 1482. He was "sent by Lorenzo the Magnificent to the duke of Milan to present him with a lyre". Da Vinci had "constructed his own instruments: beautifully carved lyres with silver ornaments, slender flutes and lutes of harmonious resonance". Leonardo da Vinci began his work in Milan the year 1483. This event is significant because Milan created many opportunities for da Vinci, and inspired him to travel.
(Labella 119).

Leonardo da Vinci's inventions

Period: Oct 14, 1483 to Jul 8, 1499

Leonardo was an inventor as much as an artist. Over the course of several years he drew and engineered multiple inventions. These included pumps, irrigation systems, tools, and even a model for a helicopter. Along with that, da Vinci associated with Ludovico Sforza in Milan. (Moose 121). This timespan was important because Leonardo da Vinci had proved that he thought ahead of his time. He was an artist and an inventor, and extremely advanced for his era.

Portugal Conquers Africa's East City-States

Dec 10, 1488

In 1488, Portuguese explorers sailed around the tip of Africa. They were hoping to find a new sea route to India, where they were planning to trade for spices, etc. Instead, the explorers landed on East City- States of Sofala, Kilwa, and Mombasa, which the Portuguese took over and colonized. Portugal ruled these city- states for another century. This event is important because it influenced the history of all involved: Portugal, but especially Sofala, Kilwa, and Mombasa. (Beck 379).

Milan, Italy: Leonardo da Vinci Starts "The Last Supper"

May 28, 1495

Another one of da Vinci's greatest artworks was "The Last Supper", a painting that depicted the last supper Christ and his apostles shared before Jesus Christ was betrayed. Starting the artwork in 1495, Leonardo da Vinci had completed it three years later, in 1498. This painting was important because it displays another one of da Vinci's great achievements in art. It displays da Vinci's success as an artist. (Beck 421).

Pinnacle of Incan Empire In Peru

Sep 24, 1500

In Peru, the Inca Empire was at its highest point in 1500. Ruled at the time by Pachacuti, the Inca Empire expanded over 2,500 miles along the coast. It was composed of modern-day Peru and some neighboring lands. The Inca population was immense, had a very strong army, and had set up irrigation systems. The economy was in great shape. This event is important because the Inca Empire was powerful, self- sufficient, and able to defend itself. It gave the Inca people a sense of pride. (Beck 387).

Montezuma II Becomes Aztec Ruler in Mexico

May 9, 1502

In 1502, Montezuma II became the ruler of the Aztec Empire in Mexico. Under Montezuma, the empire began to weaken and collapse. The population of the provinces under the empire was growing, therefore no one felt obligated to obey Montezuma's demands for tributes and human sacrifices. Montezuma's rule sparked a period of rebellions by the provinces under the Aztec rule. This event is important because it contributed to the Aztec Empire's downfall, because of rebellious behaviour. (Beck 387).

Florence, Italy: Leonardo da Vinci Begins Painting "The Mona Lisa". (Completed in 1517).

Aug 10, 1503

In 1503, Leonardo da Vinci had begun his greatest masterpiece, "The Mona Lisa", a portrait of a woman seated in front of beautiful scenery. Many assume that the top half of the woman's face was actually da Vinci's face in his youth (this has not been proved). Others say that "the mona Lisa" is a painting of Florentine Lisa Gherardini. That is why the painting is also known as "The Gioconda". The painting is significant because was one of da Vinci's greatest accomplishments. (louvre.fr).

Leonardo da Vinci Works Under Pope Leo X With Michelangelo

Jan 1, 1513

From 1513 to 1516, Leonardo da Vinci lived in Rome. He worked under Pope Leo X in Belvedere (in Viatican, Rome). When working under Pope Leo X, Leonardo da Vinci collaborated with the other two popular artists at the time: Michelangelo and Raphael. They were also da Vinci's rivals. This event is important because da Vinci was able to work under a famous persona, and collaborated with two important artists. (leonardodavinci.net).

Leonardo da Vinci's Last Years: Working Under Francis I

Dec 22, 1516

Leonardo da Vinci was growing old, and he was not as popular as before. In 1516, king of France, Francis I, invited da Vinci to live with him, and work under him. Leonardo da Vinci spent the last three years of his life in France, working for Francis I. Da Vinci died peacefully at Cloux, FR. This event was important because it shows that da Vinci was well-known and repected in other countries. It was an honor to be invited by a foreign monarch to live in their country. (Müntz 138-41).

Martin Luther Begins Reformation

Oct 31, 1517

Martin Luther started the Reformation in Germany in 1517. The Reformation was "a movement for religious reform". Luther wanted to change the Catholic Church with the idea that "all people with faith were equal." He wanted to reduce the power of the priests, and instead use the Bible. This event was important because Martin Luther influenced German peasants to revolt against the Church in 1524, because the peasants were inspired by Luther's ideas. (Beck 429).

The Death of Leonardo da Vinci

May 2, 1519

Leonardo da Vinci had passed away on May 2, 1519. He died in Cloux, France, at the age of 67. He was buried in the St.Valentine Church in Amboise, France. After his death, his assisstant, Melzi, "became the principal heir and executive of (da Vinci's) state". Da Vinci had contributed to the world not only with his beautiful artworks, but also with his inventions. This event is important because it marks the day the world lost an incredible mastermind. (biography.com)