When people around the world see the portrait of a mysterious woman with dark hair and a slight smile, they immediately think of the Mona Lisa. Leonardo da Vinci is best known for the structure of his works and the precision of the painting of the Mona Lisa and the Last Supper. His unique techniques in his works, such as sfumato, fresco and chiaroscuro, have defined his paintings as breathtaking and unforgettable. Compared to other Renaissance artists, this astonishing artist from Vinci, Italy, was remarkably ahead of his time, filling his notebooks with scientific observations, ideas for inventions, and sketches of whatever caught his eye. attention. His works had an influence on other artists and viewers long after his death because of the perspective and intricate details. A Renaissance Man is an individual who has the ability to excel in a variety of activities and subjects. Leonardo da Vinci, known as the brilliant "Renaissance Man", was not only a famous artist of the Italian Renaissance, but also a master engineer, scientist and mathematician. Leonardo da Vinci was born on April 15, 1452 in Vinci, Italy. His strong love for animals and nature as a child had a strong impact on his creativity and future artwork (Boucquey). Being an illegitimate son, Leonardo da Vinci was unable to attend college and had limited career options. His father, San Piero, encouraged him to become an artist, a highly respected career in the 15th century. Leonardo da Vinci started out as a garzone or studio boy at the Andrea del Verrochio studio (Tracy 14-15). It is in this workshop that Leonardo da Vinci mastered painting, sculpture and architecture (Boucquey). At eighteen, this talented young man has surpassed his master...... middle of paper ......hierry. “Leonardo Da Vinci.” Facts on file. Bloom's literature. Internet. February 15, 2014. “Da Vinci paints the Last Supper, 1495-1497. » Historical world events. Detroit: Gale, 2012. Web. February 28, 2014. “Leonardo da Vinci 1452-1519, Italian artist and scientist. » Renaissance: an encyclopedia for students. Ed. Paul F. Grendler. Flight. 3. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2004. 13-16. Student resources in context. Internet. March 4, 2014. “Leonardo da Vinci Completes the Mona Lisa: 1519.” World Events: Milestones throughout history. Ed. Jennifer Stock. Flight. 4: Europe. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale, 2013. Student Resources in Context. Internet. March 5, 2014. <ic.galegroup.com> “Leonardo da Vinci”. Student resources in context. Gale, 2003. The web. February 28, 2014.Tracy, Kathleen. Leonardo da Vinci. Hockessin, DE: Mitchell Lane, 2009. Print.