Leonardo Da Vinci

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Leonardo Da Vinci Blog Post 2

Great humans have different paths from ordinary people, even from their childhood. Usually they show their special talents, interest and passion in early age and all their life is more or less devoted and focused to fulfill their dreams. Very often they sacrifice other aspects of life, like love, family, kids and live legacy for future generation. Great humans are changing lives on better and thanks to them human civilization progressing and go further.

Leonardo Da Vinci was born on 15^th April, 1452, as the son of Ser Piero Da Vinci, a son of a Florentine lawyer, and mother Caterina, a peasant girl, and was illegitimate. During his childhood, not many things are known about Leonardo, but is thought that he was with his mother for the first three years of his life, until Ser Piero took him from her. They both got married to different people, from their social class, Ser Piero to Donna Albeira, and Caterina to Accattabriga. Leonardo didn’t spend his early years with neither of his parents, but with his young uncle Francesco, in country house in Vinci near Florence. He made a great influence on Leonardo since they spent a lot of time outside together, observing nature and sketching pictures. In the same time, Francesco taught Leonardo many things, since he was a philosopher, and told him that everything in nature has a cause and developed curiosity and interest in science. Ser Piero decided to move Leonardo to Florence, to get proper education since he wanted him to continue the family business and become a notary.  Leonardo studied music, arithmetic, flute, grammar, but he was attracted by paintings. He continued to investigate the animal kingdom and the plant world in the gardens of Florence. He captured insects, fish and birds, collected plants and flowers. To keep them fresh in his memory he began to draw them. His father came across some of Leonardo’s drawings, and he was amazed by his talent. At that time, great painters use to have their "BOTEGA", school with the strict hierarchy, where students used to live and work under Master's roof. So he took Leonardo to one of the best workshops at that time to learn to draw and paint, to famous artist Andrea de Verrocchio.

I believe that what happened in Leonardo’s childhood had great impact on his life and his interests. The biggest influence was made by his young and well educated uncle, who was his first teacher, and time spent with him in Vinci. He helped him to develop passion to observe the nature, animals and plants, and to search for a cause, which were his first steps in his scientist engagement. Thanks to his father and wealthy family, he got the best education in Florence, and the possibility to learn drawing and painting in the best workshop at that time, from the famous Master Verocchio. He had support from his father to follow his talent and passion, which was crucial for him as well.