Leonardo da Vinci
1452-1519
About Leonardo...
Leonardo da Vinci was born on April 15, 1452 in Vinci, Italy, just west of Florence. He spent most of his life in Florence and Milan. However he did grow up in Vinci and also lived in Rome and Paris. Da Vinci was know as a remarkable Renaissance man. He was an artist, sculptor, architect, scientist, engineer, and inventor. He studied anatomy, astronomy, botany, geology, geometry and optics. Leonardo worked as an apprentice for Verrocchio in Florence where he was taught the basics of painting and sculpting. Da Vinci influenced many many other artists during the time. He had many patrons including the French King, Francis I. The churches also hired Leonardo to make altar pieces for the church.
The Last Supper
One of Leonardos most famous works of art is the Last Supper. It was created between 1495 and 1498. It currently hangs in the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy. The painting depicts Jesus and the twelve apostles at the Last Supper. Leonardo uses the technique sfumato, where the background has a faded, more blurry effect to it. He also uses perspective in this painting, where objects in the background appear smaller and more dulled in color. The Last Supper is an example of scientific naturalism. Da Vinci uses geometry, proportions and perspective to create this realistic painting. Jesus forms a triangle with his outstretched arms, this causes the viewers' eyes to be drawn to him. The arch over the window in the background represents a halo over Christ's head. I think this piece is so interesting because each apostle has a different expression on it's face, which represents individualism. Each man portrays his own personality.
Bibliography
"Leonardo da Vinci." Authors and Artists for Young Adults. Vol. 40. Detroit: Gale, 2001. Biography in Context. Web. 18 Nov. 2013.
"Leonardo da Vinci." Encyclopedia of World Biography. Detroit: Gale, 1998.Biography in Context. Web. 18 Nov. 2013.
"Leonardo da Vinci." Gale Biography in Context. Detroit: Gale, 2010. Biography in Context. Web. 17 Nov. 2013.