When asked to tell the first things that they connect with Leonardo Da Vinci, one of the greatest men of the renaissance period, most people will hastily reply with the name of the book and the subsequent movie- Da Vinci Code. This movie has generated a lot of speculation and has got a lot of people interested in the mastery of this great man. It is indeed mind boggling to think that such intelligence existed in the dark ages. If it were here today, think of the possibilities.

Leonardo was an illegitimate child. Fortunately for him, his father, belonging to the higher class, took charge of him and probably provided the child with the right opportunities and avenues for growth.

Throughout his professional life, Leonardo has been moving around. He rarely stayed in one place for a long period. One of his last works as an artist was also one of his most famous - The Mona Lisa, Le Jaconde or La Giaconda…no matter what the name, people all over the world regard it as a masterpiece completely unparalleled in its mastery and mysticism. The Mona Lisa was painted between 1503 and 1506. Today, it holds its place of reverence in Le Louvre, one of the world's biggest museums situated in France. Innumerable scholars and laymen alike have tried to decode the reason for the slight, mysterious smile lighting up the portrait's face, but have failed to reach a satisfactory conclusion. Leonardo himself was highly attached to the painting and is said to have always traveled with it along for company.

After this, Leonardo settled down in Milan , France and he went ahead to be soon named as the royal painter to King Louis XII of France. The next six years of his life were rather uneventful - with him dividing his time between Milan and Florence, where he had to take care of his inheritance and property. He was working on a figure for a monument to the commander of the French forces, but did not manage to complete this assignment.

On 2 May 1519 , Leonardo passed on, leaving behind his priceless treasures for us to enjoy.