Leonardo Da Vinci

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to the age of 77, had four
wives, and fathered 12 children (the last one at the age of 75). During the time Leonardo spent
with his mother, Ser Piero married his first wife, a sixteen year old Albiera di Giovanni Amadori
(1436-1464), who as it turned out was barren. This is perhaps why when Leonardo was a few
years old (three or four), he was brought to live with the Da Vinci's. Being a bastard child was
not greatly disturbing at the time, as the Renaissance homed the growth of many illegitimate
children. In the Da Vinci household, he lived with his grandparents, his uncle Francesco, his
father and his step-mother. Living with his father, the boy was given a decent education in the
math's, writing and Latin. In 1456 his father was commissioned to work in Florence, and the Da
Vinci family left young Leonardo with his uncle Francesco, until they settled in the nearby city.
The relationship between Francesco and Leonardo was a loving one, as references to his uncle are
found throughout his writings that show how much he respected and liked his closest family
member. Francesco apparently never worked, and for this his father was always resentful,
referring to him as the son who did nothing all day. Francesco was interested in plants and
animals, and it is during the time that Leonardo spent with his uncle, that his curiosity and regard
for nature were sparked. Francesco taught his nephew about the different plants, their uses, and
taught him to respect nature's beauty. Soon, his father sent for the boy, and he was to spend the
rest of his childhood in Florence, where the Da Vinci's (his father and grandfather) were working
for Lorenzo de Medici. Uncle Francesco never left Vinci, and for the exception of Leonardo no
other family member ever went to visit him.

By now Leonardo was showing a robust health, being no doubt attributed to his father. It was said
that Leonardo could bend a horse-shoe with his bar...