With the aid of Leonardo da Vinci's note books, as well as a wide variety of sources, this biography covers the full life of the great Renaissance painter and architect. It is an account of Leonardo, both as an artist and as an individual. The book charts the artist's family background, childhood and apprenticeship, successes and failures, patronage, travels, interests and friendships. The book include b&w reproductions of paintings and sketchings by da Vinci. All surviving paintings are listed in the text, and there are family trees of Leonardo's family.