It is impossible to put into words everything Leonardo da Vicni was and everything he contributed to the world. He is arguably the most brilliant man in history, having a mind hundreds of years ahead of his time. Da Vinci is a renowned painter, inventor, scientist, and engineer. Some of the greatest masterpieces every created were done so with his hands. In today’s post, we’ll learn several interesting Leonardo da Vinci facts.
Fact #1 - Leonardo da Vinci was an illegitimate child.
He was the illegitimate son of Messer Piero Fruosino di Antonio da Vinci, a Florentine notary, and Caterina, a peasant. Some historians believe that Caterina may have even been a slave from the Middle East. Having kids out of wedlock was heavily looked down upon during this time period. I wonder if he or his father caught any flack because of it?
Fact #2 - Leonardo da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper.
These two paintings are the most famous, most reproduced and most parodied portrait and religious paintings of all time. These two paintings alone helped make da Vinci a household name.
Fact #3 - Despite claiming to be a humanitarian, Leonardo da Vinci invented and designed numerous military weapons and machines.
Some of his works include an armored tank, submarines, finned mortar shells and a steam cannon. It is said that anytime he invented a device to could be used as an offensive weapon, he would counter is with a defensive invention.
Fact #4 - Leonardo da Vinci disected roughly 30 human bodies.
He was a master at human anatomy. His journal is filled with pages of skeletal designs. He was very curious about how the body worked and even where the human soul was located. One of the most famous drawings he made, was of an unborn child in the womb of a woman, correctly attached by the umbilical cord.