Leonardo da Vinci (born April 15, 1452 – died May 2, 1519) was an amazing Italian person from the Renaissance period. He is most famous for his paintings. But he was also a scientist, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, sculptor, architect, botanist, musician and a writer. 

Leonardo wanted to understand everything about nature. He wanted to know how everything worked. He was very good at studying, designing, and creating all sorts of interesting things.

Many people believe Leonardo was one of the greatest painters ever. Others think he was the most talented person who ever lived.

Leonardo was born in Vinci, a small town near Florence, Italy. He learned to be an artist from the sculptor and painter Verrocchio. He spent most of his life working for rich Italian noblemen. In his later years, he lived in a beautiful home given to him by the King of France.

Two of his pictures are among the most famous paintings in the world: the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper. He also made many drawings. His best-known drawing is Vitruvian Man. Leonardo often thought of new inventions. He kept notebooks filled with notes and drawings of these ideas. Most of his inventions were never built. Some of his ideas included a helicopter, a tank, a calculator, a parachute, a robot, a telephone and solar power.