Leonardo da Vinci explained to kids

Leonardo da Vinci was an Italian polymath who lived during the Renaissance. He was a painter, sculptor, architect, musician, scientist, mathematician, engineer, inventor, and anatomist. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest artists of all time and his paintings have sold for hundreds of millions of dollars. Leonardo da Vinci was also an accomplished musician and played the lyre, organ, and violin. Born in 1452 in the Republic of Florence, Leonardo da Vinci was the illegitimate son of a notary and a peasant woman. He was educated in the studio of the renowned Italian painter Andrea del Verrocchio. Leonardo da Vinci began his career as an artist in the 1470s and went on to paint some of the most famous paintings in history, including the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper. He also designed a number of inventions, including a flying machine and a tank. In 1502, Leonardo da Vinci began working for the Duke of Milan, Ludovico Sforza. He created a number of sculptures for the duke, including a bronze horse that was never completed. Leonardo da Vinci also designed a number of war machines for the duke, including a tank, a bridge, and a giant crossbow. In 1513, the Duke of Milan was overthrown and Leonardo da Vinci was forced to flee. He eventually ended up in Rome, where he worked for the Pope. He painted a number of religious works, including the Virgin of the Rocks and the Sistine Chapel ceiling. Leonardo da Vinci also designed a number of buildings, including the Vatican Library. In 1516, Leonardo da Vinci returned to Florence, where he died in 1519.