Leonardo da Vinci is a well known painter, sculptor, musician, scientist, mathematician, and inventor. He was born on April 15th, 1452 in present-day Italy. He is considered by many to be the greatest painter to have lived. Along with his exceptional artistic talent, da Vinci is also well known for his inventions and mathematical discoveries. While little is known about his early life, he received a very informal education, and he was born to a modest Italian family with a father who hopped around between wives, one as young as 16 years old. At the age of 14, Leonardo began an apprenticeship with Verrocchio, one of the finest Italian painters. During this time (the 1470s), da Vinci expanded his education and began his painting career. His most well known pieces, The Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, are considered some of the greatest paintings in history. His work fell into the High Renaissance genre. Many consider his contemporary to be Michelangelo. Da Vinci never married and his sexuality was questioned. He died at the age of 67 in France, on May 2nd, 1519.
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