[Born at Vinci, in Tuscany, 1452. Died at Amboise, in France, 1519.
Aged 67.]
One of the greatest names of the fifteenth century. His genius was all
but universal, and his faculty of acquiring knowledge of all kinds,
prodigious. He is most generally known and appreciated as a painter; but
he was also a distinguished writer, a man of general science, an
architect, an engineer, an accomplished musician, and a discoverer in
Natural Philosophy. As painter he was the pupil of Andrea Verrochio, and
the founder of the Milan school. It was at Milan that he painted his
great and universally known picture, of the “Last Supper.” From 1504 to
1515, he travelled through Italy as architect and engineer to Cæsar
Borgia, Duke of Valentino. He is the undoubted head of the highest
development of art, in which the most elevated subjects were represented
in the noblest Form. Every branch and attribute of Fine Art was
intimately known to him. In the expression of the passions, his eye and
mind were quick and eager; and he investigated every phase of life to
its minutest modifications. He was familiar with the spirit of the
humblest ranks, and could stamp divine subjects with a beauty and
sentiment which only the very highest genius is competent to attain.
There was great rivalry between Leonardo and Michael Angelo.--A Titanic
emulation! The faculties of both were mighty and analogous; their grasp
similarly broad and powerful. Leonardo passed his last years in France,
protected by Francis I., who showered favours upon this gifted man. A
story is current that the painter died in the arms of the monarch, but
there appears no good foundation for the statement.
[From the marble, by Filippo Albaccini. The bust resembles the painted
portraits, of which there are several of undoubted accuracy and truth,
painted by himself, at Florence, Venice, Paris, and Milan. The works
of Leonardo on Anatomy and Painting are still invaluable to students
in art. His treatise on Painting was first printed at Paris in 1651.
The MS. was in a curious hand-writing, and written backwards with the
left hand.]