Under Andrea, Leonardo apprenticed in painting and sculpture, but was also fascinated with mechanics and architecture. His genius soon became apparent to his master. Although he was admitted into the Painter's Guild in 1472, Leonardo continued his apprenticeship until 1477 when he struck out on his own.

Leonardo considered himself a student of his art and experimented tirelessly with light and shadow to perfect the 3 dimensional quality of his painting. His interests were broad and while working as a painter in Florence began to devise and sketch hydraulic and military machinery.

In 1482, Leonard traveled to Milan to seek work as a military engineer. There, he met with the Duke of Milan and secured the position of "Painter and Engineer for The Duke". In Milan Leonardo set up shop where he worked on studies ranging from painting and sculpture to architecture, powered flight, urban design, fortifications, catapult , trebuchet and powder based artillery and other weapons of war. He also continued his study of geometry and perspective, which lead to his discovery of several geometric methods. 

It was in Milan Leonardo began his study of anatomy and produced his famous notebooks containing meticulously sketches of his studies. These notebooks, or codices, as later assembled, covered four main areas of study: painting, architecture, the elements of mechanics and human anatomy.

In 1499, Leonardo left Milan. For the next 16 years, he traveled through Italy, working as a military architect and engineer, painter and sculptor and continuing his anatomic studies. In 1503, Leonardo started one of his most famous works, the Mona Lisa .

In 1566, Leonardo accepted the title of "Premier Painter and Engineer and Architect of the King" by France's King Francis the First. Leonardo moved to Amboise, France where he continued his studies and teaching despite suffering a paralysis of his right hand.

Leonardo da Vinci died on May 2, 1519 in Cloux, France.

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