From Florence to France

Leonardo stayed in Florence for quite a while. He considered it his home and returned several times throughout his life.

Verrocchio was very impresses with Leonardo's drawings so he gave Leonardo a place in his workshop. In this workshop Leonardo got a chance to work with Botticelli, Perugino and Lorenzo di Credi. Leonardo's apprenticeship ended with Verrocchio in June 1472 when he got his name red book of painters from Florence (Campagnia de Pittori). However, in ending the apprenticeship Leonardo did not leave Verrocchio's workshop. In fact Verrocchio and Leonardo worked together on several paintings.

This is a picture of Verrocchio courtesy of http://www.kausal.com/leonardo/apprenticeship.html

The first recorded drawing of Leonardo's was on August 5, 1473. The drawing was of the Arno Valley. One of the first sketches that Leonardo created that contained some of his mechanical studies is the following sketch.

courtesy of http://www.kausal.com/leonardo/firstworks.html

From 1482 till 1513 Leonardo traveled back and forth from Milan to Florence. Leonardo even made a trip to Rome and Vatican City during this time.

In 1516 at the age of 64 the King of France, King Francis I, invited Leonardo to live in Amboise at the court of France. After the three month journey Leonardo arrived in Amboise. In his baggage was the famous painting the Mona Lisa. He stayed at the castle Cloux which is now called Le Clos Luce.

This shows where Amboise is located in France courtesy of http://www.geocities.com/leonardo_in_france/LEON_p1.html

The castle Cloux or (Le Clos Luce) is courtesy of http://www.kausal.com/leonardo/france.html

While Leonardo was in France he worked primarily on inventions. He was paralyzed in his right arm therefore he couldn't work on paintings or sculptures anymore. Some of these inventions he worked on were his hydraulic, military, maritime, mechanical and aeronautical inventions.

Leonardo's pay while in France was a pension of 700 gold crowns a year and getting to live in the castle Cloux. Some wonder why he was given so much when he was getting quite old, but it is said that Francis I enjoyed conversation with Leonardo and the king might visit up to once a day!

Leonardo's bedroom at the castle at Amboise is where Leonardo passes on courtesy of http://www.geocities.com/leonardo_in_france/LEON_p4.html

It is also rumored that on May 2, 1519 just after the priest had preformed the last rites the king entered and Leonardo said his last words. Leonardo fell silent and the king went over to him and held him trying to comfort him until Leonardo died. So Leonardo died in the arms of the King of France.

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