Leonardo was one of the greatest artists of the Italian Renaissance and the greatest experimental scientist of his age. Leonardo was a painter, sculptor, architect, musician and art critic who displayed genius in almost all the arts and sciences.

He was born in Vinci, Italy. About 1470 he entered the studio of Andrea del Verrocchio, and in 1482 settled in Milan, where he painted his 'Last Supper'.

In 1500 he entered the service of Cesare Borgia in Florence as architect and engineer, and with Michelangelo decorated the Sala del Consiglio in the Palazzo della Signoria with historical compositions. Soon after he completed his most celebrated painting, 'Mona Lisa'.

His studies of anatomy and mechanical devices show that he had a knowledge far beyond his own time. His notebooks contain original remarks on most of the sciences, including biology, physiology, hydrodynamics, and aeronautics.

From his notebook:
a treatise on painting

From the University of St. Andrews, Scotland
School of Mathematics
Biography