Leonardo da Vinci facts

In Vinci. Leonardo da Vinci was born on 15 April 1452, in a farmhouse about 3 kilometers from the town of Vinci, near Florence. His full name was "Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci", which means "Leonardo, son of Piero, of Vinci".

Her mysterious smile. Mona Lisa is famous for an optical illusion aka 'the mysterious smile'. The illusion is caused due to peripheral vision as the focus of the viewer shifts from the eyes of the portrait to the lips of the portrait.

She has no eyebrows. Shaved eyebrows were considered very fashionable at that time in Florence.

By mirror writing. Leonardo's writings are mostly in mirror-image cursive. The reason may have been more a practical expediency than for reasons of secrecy as is often suggested. Since Leonardo wrote with his left hand, it is probable that it was easier for him to write from right to left.

May 2, 1519 in Amboise (France). In 1516, Leonardo entered the service of king Francis I of France, being given the use of the manor house Clos Lucé near the king's residence at the royal Château d'Amboise. He spent the last three years of his life here. He died on 2 May 1519 and was buried in the Chapel of Saint-Hubert in Château d'Amboise in France.