Leonardo da Vinci: Leaving Florence Quiz

Answer: Milan

When Leonardo left Florence in 1482, he went to Milan, to the court of Ludovico Sforza, the Duke of Milan. He was sent by the Medici with a peace offering, bearing the gift of a silver lute in the shape of a horse's head. It might be, however, that Leonardo also thought that the Duke would be a better patron than the Medici. The year before the Medici had been asked by the pope to send the best artists in Florence to work in the Vatican. Leonardo, for reasons unknown, was not part of 'the group of the best'. Maybe it was time to move on?

The portrait of Ludovico Sforza (and his family), part of the "Virgin and Child Enthroned with the Doctors of the Church and the family of Ludovico il Moro", was completed c.1494 by the Master of the Pala Sforzesca. Today it can be viewed at the Brera Gallery in Milan.

Answer: Military expert

Leonardo wrote a lengthy letter about himself to the Duke of Milan. He stated that he had plans for bridges, as well as plans for destroying every stronghold unless it was founded on a rock. He also claimed to have plans for making cannon and mortars and for "arriving at a certain fixed spot by caverns and secret winding passages, made without any noise even though it may be necessary to pass underneath trenches or a river". Catapults, trebuchets, and covered chariots were among some of the other items mentioned in the letter. He really only mentioned his ability as an artist in passing. Why? He probably knew that Sforza was not as firmly in power as he would have liked to be. It is said, however, that "Leonardo took the right tack with the wrong man". The duke much preferred intrigue over war. In addition, he was only a patron of the arts because he wanted to use that role as a status symbol. The art scene in Milan was nothing like the one in Florence that Leonardo left behind.

In the picture is a study of a bridge found in one of Leonardo's notebooks.

Answer: The Horse

In his letter to the Duke, Leonardo also offered his expertise in completing a project that was being planned in honor of Sforza's father, who had taken control after the downfall of the previous rulers of the city. Leonardo worked on the design of the "The Horse" while working on other projects for Sforza.

In late 1492, a full-sized model of the horse without the rider was unveiled at the marriage of a member of the Duke's family. It was a huge hit and finally gained Leonardo some of the recognition he desired. Sadly, however, the bronze the Duke was collecting for the casting was sold to his brother-in-law for making cannon.

In 1499, Milan was invaded by French troops who used the model for target practice. Riddled with holes, the statue eventually fell apart.

Answer: 5,000

All sources do not agree, but considering the information available, at least 5,000 pages of Leonardo's notes still exist today, perhaps more. So how many pages were originally inherited by Count Francesco Melzi, who is considered to have been Leonardo's favorite student? He inherited much upon Leonardo's death, including the journals. Some sources say as many as 13,000 pages originally existed. While Leonardo kept a journal of notes prior to going to Milan, it appears that during his stay there he began to write down everything that interested him in a random order, and continued to do that for the rest of his life.

Leonardo's drawings of anatomy began to appear while in Milan. It is unknown where Leonardo obtained the head, but he not only studied the outside, but also cut it open to draw the inside.

Answer: Tank

Believed to be designed more for intimidation of the enemy than a serious weapon, Leonardo's tank had a covering that was made of wood that was reinforced with metal. The cover was slanted in an attempt to deflect enemy fire. Four men operated two cranks on the inside to make the tank mobile. This sketch was made in Leonardo's notebook in approximately 1485.

Answer: Pageant coordinator

Although it seems like a terrible waste of genius, Ludovico did use Leonardo's artistic ability to create pageants and provide entertainments. At the time, staging pageantry was considered to be part of the artist's repertoire. Leonardo, sent to Pavia by Sforza to give advice on the building of a cathedral there, stayed for six months, studying at the Pavian library before being called back to stage the pageant for Ludovico's marriage to Beatrice d'Este, the Duchess of Bari. It is said that Beatrice was very charming and loved to entertain. Her taste in art prompted her husband to become a better patron of Leonardo.

The picture "Virgin and Child Enthroned with the Doctors of the Church", painted c 1494 by the Master of the Pala Sforzesca, shows Ludivico, Beatrice, and his heirs kneeling before the Virgin and Sts. Ambrose, Gregory the Great, Augustine and Jerome. It is interesting to note that a painter, whose name is unknown today, was chosen over Leonardo to paint the picture.

Answer: Mathematics

Pacioli wrote a textbook, "On Divine Proportion", which Leonardo illustrated. Most of his drawings were of polyhedrons, which were believed to have a supernatural importance beyond the geometry. Leonardo believed proportions were of basic importance "not only...in numbers and measurements but also in sounds, weights, positions and in whatsoever power there may be".

Answer: Sali

Gian Giacomo de'Caprotti became Leonardo's apprentice when he was ten years old. Leonardo called him "Sali", or little Satan. Sali came from a poor family, and even though Leonardo provided food and clothing for him, he apparently stole whatever he could get his hands on. It was written that at a supper with one of Leonardo's associates, "Giacomo supped for two, did mischief for four, for he broke three cruets, and spilled the wine". Sali stayed in Leonardo's household for at least twenty-five years.

It is believed that Sali was the model for Leonardo's "John the Baptist".

Answer: False

There is no record that Leonardo ever was commissioned to paint a portrait of Beatrice. However, he was commissioned to paint a portrait of Ludovico's mistress, Cecilia Gallerani. She was approximately seventeen years old at the time, and had already given birth to his son. Leonardo's "Lady with an Ermine" is said to have captured her beauty; her pose, as well as the ermine's, are uniquely Leonardo's design. Why an ermine? It was one of Sforza's chosen symbols. The background of the picture, which shows nothing of the chiaroscuro favored by Leonardo has been retouched by later artists.

While in Milan it is believed that Leonardo painted at least two other portraits: "Portrait of a Musician" is undoubtedly attributed to him. Some believe the other portrait, "La Belle Ferronniere", was a painting that might have been done by Leonardo of another mistress.

Answer: True

The church was being renovated in order to include a Sforza family mausoleum; Ludovico wanted the painting to be the centerpiece in the new room. The painting was not done in traditional fresco style; Leonardo did not like the limitations that fresco work placed on an artist. One had to apply the plaster and finish painting the entire area of what had been plastered in a day. In addition, due to the fast drying nature and permanence of the art form, Leonardo could neither work as slowly as he preferred or go back and make changes - something he continuously did on his paintings. He tried a new technique on the wall, and unfortunately, the painting began deteriorating soon after its completion.

There is a story that the prior wrote to Leonardo, complaining of the delay in finishing the project, which took about three years. Leonardo replied that he was having problems finding the perfect face for the traitor, Judas. He did imply, however, that if one was not forthcoming, he could use the prior's image instead!