Timeline

1452

Leonardo da Vinci is born near the village of Vinci in Italy.

1800

During the French Revolution, troops destroy the church and grounds where he was buried. His remains were reburied nearby.

1466

As a young teen he becomes an apprentice to the artist Andrea del Verrocchio.

1519

Da Vinci dies and is buried in France.

1472

His work is loved so much that he’s asked to join the Painters’ Guild of Florence.

1516

Francois asks Da Vinci to come to paint for him so the artist moves to France, where he lives for the rest of his life.

1482

Da Vinci moves to Milan in Italy.

1515

Francois I becomes King of France.

1495

He begins work on his great painting The Last Supper.

1513

The French are forced out of Milan and Da Vinci moves too, heading for Rome.

1500

Da Vinci returns to Florence to become architect and chief engineer to Duke Cesare Borgia.

1506

He returns to Milan to work for the French governor there.