Leonardo Di Vinci was born on April 15, 1452 in Vinci, Italy, just outside Florence. He was the son of Messer Piero Fruosino of Antonio da Vinci and Caterina. His father took custody of Leonardo because his mother left, married another man, and moved to a nearby town. They continued to have children, although not to each other, so Leonardo had around 17 half-sisters and brothers. Leonardo spent his first 5 years in the hamlet of Anchiano, in his father and family's house. At the age of 14 Leonardo became involved with one of the most successful artists of his time, Andrea di Clone, known as Verrocchio. His workshop was the center of Florentine intellectual currents. Leonardo was exposed to many technical skills and learned drawing, chemistry, metallurgy, metalworking, plaster castling and many others. He would also learn the artistic skills of drawing, painting, sculpture, and modeling. Leonardo had collaborated with Verrocchio on his Baptism of Christ, which is a painting of a young angel holding Jesus' robe in a manner that was far superior to his....