Da Vinci: 5 Facts About The Renaissance Polymath

   Many of us have heard of the famous Leonardo Da Vinci; either on the TV or in history class or just anywhere. We recognize him for his great skills in art—Mona Lisa, and science—Vitruvian Man. Thus, we may think we've heard everything thing there is about the talented Renaissance man. However, there are actually a few irregularly stated facts about him that will surprise you. Today, I'll be listing five out of them. 

1. Born out of wedlock 

Leonardo Da Vinci was born out of wedlock on April 15, 1452 in Anchiano, region of Florence(current Italy). From records, his father was Messer Piero da Vinci, a wealthy notary and landlord and his mother, Caterina Buti del Vacca, was a local peasant. Although some historian experts theorized Caterina's identity as a slave owned by Ser Piero.

Young da Vinci spent his first years with mother and eventually moved to the household of his father, where he shared an appreciation for nature and science with his uncle. It wasn't until an event with a shield that Messer Piero realized his son's artistic skills. According to Giorgio Vasari, the 16th-century biographer of Renaissance painters; Ser Piero was asked by a local peasant to paint a shield but young Leonardo decided to claim the job by painting a terrifying monster that spat fire. The painting was so terrifying that Ser Piero had to buy another shield for the peasant and sell his son's painting of a monster to Verrocchio.

2. No Formal Education 

Da Vinci had no formal education. He did, however, received home lessons on reading, writing and mathematics. In his teens, he became an apprentice to the renowned Florentine painter and sculptor, Andrea del Verrocchio. It was there that Leonardo became exposed to a number of technical skills such as metal working, leather arts, wood–work, painting, drawing and sculpting. In 1472, when he was 20, Leonardo received membership to the Guild of Saint Luke and secured his own workshop. Even at that, he still maintained a close relationship with Verrocchio as he continued to collaborate with him for an additional five years. 

3. Many Uncompleted Works 

Yes, Leonardo da Vinci has a lot of uncompleted works. He was extremely slow at painting. After his departure from Verrocchio's studio, the artist received first independent commission to paint an altarpiece for the Chapel of St.Bernard. Leonardo, who acted on the job for a period of three years, abandoned the piece for another "The Adoration of Magi", both of which were uncompleted and abandoned for services of the Duke of Milan, Ludovico Sforza. 

4. Arrested For Sodomy

Florentine court records from 1476 show that Leonardo and several male companions were arrested on charges of sodomy, a crime which was punishable by death or exile. But the 24-year-old artist along with the others found luck as the case was dismissed when there were no witnesses to testify against them. From that time, Leonard's sexuality has been the subject of satire, analysis, and speculation. 

5. Military Side 

You might not be aware of this but da Vinci had a military side. He was sent as an ambassador by Lorenzo de' Medici to Ludovico Sforza who ruled Milan between 1479–1499. In Milan, he received a commission to paint The Virgin of the Rock, a work which invited the admiration of everyone. 

But following the defeat of Sforza by France in1500, Leonardo fled Milan for Venice. There, he was employed as a military architect and engineer and he made plans on how to defend the city from attack. 

In 1502, under the service of Cesare Borgia, the son of Pope Alexander VI, Leonardo drew the map of Chiana Valley, Tuscany to give his patron a proper view of the land and devise more strategic plans. When Leonardo left Borgia's service and returned to Florence in 1503, he began his work on the portrait, Mona Lisa, which he continued but never finished, until his final years.