Aleksandra Bojović
LEONARDO DA VINCI
Publishing House PČELICA Kolubarska 4, Čačak, Serbia office@pcelica.rs www.pcelica.rs
Т
his is the story of one of the most intelligent and versatile people of all time. It is a story of a man whose ideas changed the world. His name is Leonardo da Vinci.
2
Leonardo da Vinci
Тhe Birth of a Renaissance Genius Leonardo da Vinci, the greatest Renaissance
genius was born in 1453 near the Italian city of Vinci. He was born out of wedlock to Piero da Vinci and a village girl called Caterina. Leonardo da Vinci was an Italian painter, sculptor, architect, inventor, engineer, and scientist. 1
Thoughts on Learning Learning never exhausts the mind. Leonardo da Vinci
He is remembered for his ideas, which were used for years and, in some cases, even centuries after his death. Leonardo’s works of art place him among the most talented people in art history. The Renaissance is a period of history which began in mid 14th century and lasted until the 16th century. It is best known for an increased interest in art and great scientific and geographic discoveries. 1
3
Life Without a Mother Leonardo da Vinci spent the first five years of his childhood
with his mother and then he was taken in by his father. His father’s first wife was very fond of him but she died young. Leonardo was twelve at the time. Thoughts on Quick Acquisition of Wealth He who wishes to be rich within a day will be hanged within a year. Leonardo da Vinci
He began his education in his home town. Apart from reading, writing, and arithmetic, he also studied geometry and Latin, and his uncle, a dreamer and idler, showed him the secrets of nature. 4
Leonardo’s uncle Francesco was only seventeen years older than him and the two of them spent all of their free time outdoors. Later in life, Leonardo would often remember his childhood and playing with his imaginative uncle. The games were, actually, a way for the inquisitive boy to get acquainted with the realm of nature. For example, while walking by the river, uncle Francesco would suggest to Leonardo that they observe the water and think about why it runs. While lying on the grass, they would watch the birds and uncle Francesco would explain the differences in their shape, behaviour, and movement. Leonardo was allowed to play with soil, so that he was able to understand why and how plants grow. With an uncle like that, young Leonardo learned more and more about nature. He didn’t know, however, who his mother was. One day he encountered her by chance on the narrow streets of Vinci and she gave him a hug. He didn’t even suspect it was her. 5
A Classroom and a Square Leonardo’s teachers were impressed with his intelligence.
However, school did not provide the young and inquisitive Leonardo with the answers to all of his questions. As a result, he left home to continue his education in Florence.
6
After he moved to Florence with his father, many things in Leonardo’s life changed. The bustle of the city, which lasted form dusk ‘till dawn, replaced the silence and tranquillity of the countryside. At the time, Florence was not a big city, but it was a vibrant and noisy place, which started growing rapidly. Throughout it buildings were being demolished and constructed. Thoughts on Life and Death While I thought that I was learning how to live, I have been learning how to die. Leonardo da Vinci
After the downfall of the wool and silk merchants, Florence slowly began to recover. Florentines mostly invested their money in construction, so on every corner one could study architecture, sculpture and painting. For young Leonardo entire Florence became an open art school. 7
Aleksandra Bojović
LEONARDO DA VINCI
Publishing House PČELICA Kolubarska 4, Čačak, Serbia office@pcelica.rs www.pcelica.rs