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April 15,1452
Birthdate
Leonardo is born in Anchiano, near Vinci (in the province of Florence). Illegitimate son of the notary, ser Piero and a young peasant woman. Leonardo spends his childhood and early adolescence in Anchiano and Vinci. He lives with his father who, in the meantime, marries Albiera degli Amadori.
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1469
Andrea del Verrocchio
Joins the studio of Andrea del Verrocchio, much frequented by celebrated artists and young talented men where he learns to draw, paint and sculpt.
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1472
First works
Listed as a member of the Company of St. Luke, the Florentine artists’ guild. It is from this date that we begin to see his first independent works.
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1481
The Adoration of the Magi
The friars at the church of San Donato in Scopeto, near Florence, request him to paint an altarpiece for their monastery.
Leonardo begins work on the Adoration of the Magi, which he never completes.
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1483
The Virgin of the Rocks
Signs a contract with the friars of the Immaculate Conception to paint the Virgin of the Rocks.
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1490
The Lady with the ermine
Paints the portrait of Cecilia Gallerani, the picture known as Lady with the ermine.
Directs numerous court festivities.
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1499
Leaving Milan
Leaves Milan in the company of Luca Pacioli a few months after French troops occupy the city.
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1502
Cesare Borgia
For a few months, is in the service of Cesare Borgia who is involved in a number of military operations in Romagna and requests his assistance as a military engineer.
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1504
The death of Ser Piero
His father, Piero, dies at the age of 80.
Leonardo continues work on the Battle of Anghiari and plans the canal project for the Arno River.
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1513
Rome
On 24 September he moves to Rome, where he resides in the Vatican, in the service of Giuliano dei Medici, the brother of Pope Leo X.
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May 2, 1519
Sit tibi terra levis
On 23 April he makes his last Will and Testament, designating his pupil Francesco Melzi heir to all his manuscripts and instruments. He leaves the paintings still in his studio to his other pupil, Salaì.
He dies on 2 May and is buried in the town of Amboise, in the cloister of the church of Saint Florentin. There is no longer any trace of his remains because many tombs were destroyed during the sixteenth-century Wars of Religion.
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1466
Florence
After Albiera dies, he moves to Florence with his father.
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1471
The Baptism of Christ
Works on the completion of an angel in the Baptism of Christ painted in Verrocchio’s studio.
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1476
The Trial
Is accused, prosecuted and found not guilty of sodomy.
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1482
Milan
Leaves Florence to enter the service of Ludovico Sforza "the Moor", Duke of Milan, as engineer, architect, sculptor, painter and even musician.
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1489
Sforza Monument
Starts work on “The Horse”, the equestrian monument Ludovico wanted as a tribute to his father Francesco Sforza. This monument was never finished.
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1495
The Last Supper
Starts painting the Last Supper, in the refectory of the monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie.
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1500
The Monastery
After staying in Mantua and Venice, returns to Florence and lodges at the monastery of the Servants of the Annunciation.
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1503
Mona Lisa
In Florence, he begins work on the Mona Lisa. The Seigneury commissions him to create a fresco of the Battle of Anghiari, but the work will not survive very long.
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1506
Milan
Returns to Milan, where he stays for three months at the insistence of the French Governor, Charles d’Amboise.
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1516
To France
Moves to France at the invitation of the new King François I and lodges in the Manoir of Cloux, near the Royal Castle of Amboise.