Leonardo was born as a product of an illegitimate relationship
The maestro was born in Tuscany, Italy in 1452. His father was a wealthy man named Ser Piero and his mother Caterina was a peasant. His parents weren’t married when he was born, which was considered scandalous at the time. As he was born outside wedlock, he was forced to choose a different path and he soon found his interest in creative arts.
He didn’t go to school or receive any formal education
Da Vinci never received any kind of formal education, but as a child, he showed signs of becoming a great artist. His talents were recognized by Andrea del Verrocchio, a famous artist of Florence, and he offered Leonardo da Vinci an apprenticeship with him. Leonardo started his training in Andrea del Verrocchio’s workshop where he excelled in various fields like drawing, carpentry, sculpting, and painting.
He was a musician and composer
Much like Lizzo, our dear Leo was a great musician who could sing and also play the flute. He believed that art and music are linked to each other and that in order to be a great artist, one has to be good with music. He gave shape to a few compositions which were found in his manuscripts. He also invented a musical instrument called the organ-viola-harpsichord.
His largest artwork was destroyed
The Duke of Milan commissioned Leonardo da Vinci to create a 25 feet horse with the Duke’s father on its back. The statue was named Gran Cavallo or Leonardo’s Horse. If completed, it would have been the largest statue of its time. Leonardo spent about 16 years constructing it but it was destroyed by the French soldiers who invaded Milan in 1499 and used the beautiful statue for target practice.