Leonardo da Vinci

Inca Empire Founded

Jan 1, 1438

In the year 1438, the Incas thought that is was time to make their presence known. So that made the decision to call themselves an empire. They were an empire from 1438 to 1533

Invention of the Printing Press

Jan 1, 1450

In 1450, the printing press was invented by Johannes Gutenburg. It revolutionized education and communication. The first product of the machine was the Gutenburg Bible.

Birth

Apr 15, 1452

Leonardo da Vinci was born on April 15, 1452. He had 12 siblings. He had 9 brothers and 3 sisters. But he also had 17 half siblings. His father's name was Piero Fruosino di Antonio da Vinci and his mother's name was Caterina da Vinci.

Multiple Interests Besides Art

Period: Apr 15, 1452 to May 2, 1519

For all of his life Leonardo da Vinci had interests besides art. He took classes and studied on his own about things like music, swordsmanship, mechanics, human and animal anatomy, engineering, weaponry, and even river re-channeling.

The Ottoman Empire

Jan 1, 1453

In 1453, the Turks invaded Constantinople and took over the city. Because of this it was the end of the Byzantine Empire. This was the beginning of the Ottoman Empire.

First Russian Czar

Jan 1, 1462

Ivan the Great was born in 1400. He was the grand prince of Moscow. Eventually he became king and changed his title from king to czar.

Florence

Apr 15, 1469

When da Vinci was 17 years old he was sent to Florence, Italy by his father. This was when his father took notice of Leonardo's artistic talent. So he sent him to Florence to apprentice under a master.

Artist

Apr 15, 1472

At just twenty years old da Vinci was a master artist. He actually started to make a living off of his paintings. This is when he started to become a full time artist.

Charged with Sodomy

Jan 1, 1476

In 1476, Leonardo was charged with the crime of sodomy. This crime was punishable by death or exile a the time. But the next two years of his life are undocumented so we don't know what happened to him then.

Milan

Jan 1, 1481

In 1481, da Vinci left Florence for the city of Milan. When he got there he was instantly hired by Ludovico Sforza. Unfortunately, the job didn't pay very well for da Vinci.

The Renaissance

Period: Jan 1, 1482 to Jan 1, 1499

This is when da Vinci was making a lot of money off of his artistic work. He began an important movement in the art world. It was called the Renaissance and every artist began to paint in the new art style that da Vinci led.

Discovery of America

Jan 1, 1492

Christopher Columbus was sent by Spain on a cross ocean journey. Columbus ended up discovering America. He also discovered South America.

Back to Florence

Jan 1, 1494

After living 12 years in Milan, da Vinci moved back to Florence. This is when he started one of his most significant friendships in his life which lasted 25 years. He apprenticed a young boy who he nicknamed "Little Satan". He even left a vineyard for Little Satan in his will.

Sea Route to India

Jan 1, 1497

In 1497 Vasco de Gama needed a way to get to India. So he sailed all the way around Africa to get there. He established a Portuguese colony there.

The Mona Lisa

Jan 1, 1503

In 1503 a woman walked into Leonardo's workshop and asked to be painted. Leonardo accepted and began his painting immediately. This painting is what we know as the Mona Lisa. This painting took three years to finish.

Death

May 2, 1519

On May 2, 1519, Leonardo da Vinci passed away. He was only 67 at the time. When people learned of his death they were worried that art wouldn't be the same without new work from him.