Tracy, Kathleen. Leonardo Da Vinci. Part of the Art Profiles for Kids series. 2009. 48p. ISBN 978-1-5841-5711-3. Available at B LEO on the library shelves.
If you had to name one artist of the Renaissance, you would probably produce the name Leonardo da Vinci. An illegitimate son of a notary and of a peasant, Leonardo was imbued with an insatiable curiosity and incredible artistic talents. As a young man he apprenticed with Andrea del Verrocchio, before striking out on his own. He worked on several paintings and sculptures, moving from place to place within Italy seeking patrons to support him in the face of his lifelong financial difficulties. Leonardo ended up working for the most influential families and Kings of the era.
Embroiled in several lawsuits over not completing work on time and his propensity for young men, Leonardo nevertheless achieved a reputation as an innovative artist. His Mona Lisa remains the most known example of Renaissance painting. Fascinated by human anatomy, Leonardo carefully studied dead bodies and produced intricate drawings of the human form. He documented extensive research in many fields of science and biology, and also illustrated several revolutionary ideas such as the parachute and the helicopter
Despite his reputation, Leonardo was not a prolific artist. He spent years working on his paintings and sculptures, and most of his work remains incomplete in the form of notes, sketches, or unfinished paintings. Falling in obscurity a few decades after his death, it was not until the 19th century that his genius became apparent. A fascinating individual and a true Renaissance man, Leonardo continues to inspire centuries after his death.
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