• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Watch Free Demo
  • Login
  • Contact
  • Customer Support

Old Masters Academy

How to paint like the Old Masters using modern materials

  • About
  • Free Demo
  • Art Lessons
    • Personal Tutoring
  • Pricing
  • Community ▾
    • Win Art Course
    • Watch Free Demo
    • Artwork Critique
    • Students Gallery
    • Art Articles
    • Academy Team
    • News
  • Reviews
  • FAQ
You are here: Home / Art Articles / Leonardo da Vinci apprenticeship
Leonardo da Vinci apprenticeship

March 27, 2019 Leave a Comment

Leonardo da Vinci apprenticeship

by Rosily Roberts



Leonardo da Vinci was born in 1452 in a village in Tuscany. Leonardo was the illegitimate son of Florentine notary and a peasant girl, and was the oldest of twelve siblings.

When he was about fifteen, his father, who had a great deal of repute in the Florentine community, apprenticed him to the artist Andrea del Verrocchio, who had been a student of early Renaissance master Donatello. Florence was a very important artistic centre in Renaissance Italy, attracting many budding artists. Verrocchio was an important artist in the court of the Medici, a powerful family in Florence during the time, who were known for their political involvement and generous patronage of the arts. It is indicative of his father’s influence in Florence that Leonardo was able to begin his apprenticeship in so prestigious a studio.

how-to-paint-like-old-masters-Leonardo-da-Vinci-apprenticeship

Verocchio was one of the leading artists of late-fifteenth century Florence. He trained as a goldsmith and went on to work as a painter and sculptor. He is mainly celebrated for his sculpture, and Leonardo’s multifaceted training included painting and sculpture, as well as the technical-mechanical arts.

During his apprenticeship, Leonardo also worked in the workshop of artist Antonio Pollaiuolo, a painter and sculptor who is known for his design skills and his work in other media including embroidery, engraving and enamel-work.

In 1472 Leonardo was accepted into the painters’ guild of Florence, however, he remained in his teacher’s workshop for five more years, before working independently in Florence until 1481. Many of his pen and pencil drawings exist from this period, as well as technical sketches, including pumps, military weapons and mechanical apparatus, evidencing his interest in and knowledge of technical matters, even early on in his career.

Some of Leonardo’s artistic concerns originate with Verocchio, such as the twisting pose known as the figura serpentinata and the study of contrasting expressions.

how-to-paint-like-Leonardo-da-Vinci-apprenticeship

There is only one painting which is conclusively attributed to Verrocchio: the Baptism of Christ in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, with which it is often contested that Leonardo assisted. Mid-sixteenth century historian Giorgio Vasari explained that Leonardo painted the figure of the angel on the left with such skill that he upset his teacher. More recent study of the painting have suggested that Leonardo’s interventions were more extensive, including the landscape and the figure of Christ.

how-to-paint-like-Leonardo-Vinci-apprenticeship

The treatment of the landscape is reminiscent of Leonardo’s works, including The Virgin of the Rocks of circa 1490s. The rock formations are similar, as are the way he has depicted water in the compositions.

References:
‘Leonardo da Vinci,’ The Art Story,
theartstory.org/artist-da-vinci-leonardo-life-and-legacy.htm

‘Andrea del Verocchio,’ The National Gallery, nationalgallery.org.uk/artists/andrea-del-verrocchio


Learn time-honored oil painting techniques of the Old Masters!

What you will get:

old masters academy

  • Instant access to all 60 multi-part video lessons
  • A lifetime membership
  • Personal coaching by the course tutor
  • Constructive critiques of your artworks
  • Full access to the Art Community
  • Exhibition space in the Students Gallery
  • Members-only newsletters and bonuses
  • Old Masters Academy™ Diploma of Excellence

How you will benefit:

old masters academy

The Old Masters Academy™ course is very comprehensive, yet totally beginner friendly. All you need to do is watch video lessons one by one and use what you’ve learned in your creative projects. You will discover painting techniques of the Old Masters. This is the best art learning experience you can have without leaving your home. All information is delivered online, including personal support by the course tutor.


Learn how to paint like the Old Masters!

Old Masters Academy Online Course
Self-study, self-paced online video course

Lifetime membership
One-time payment: $487

Enroll Now!
Personal Tutoring online + Online Course
Unlimited tutoring by the Academy teachers

Lifetime membership
One-time payment: $997

Enroll Now!

Filed Under: Art Articles Tagged With: figura serpentinata, painting and sculpture, pen and pencil drawings, prestigious a studio, training included painting and sculpture, twisting pose

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Search Website

Members Area

You are not currently logged in.








» Lost your Password?

Watch Free Demo

Old Masters Academy

Art Course

» Personal Tutoring
» Art Lessons
» Free Demo
» Enroll in the Course

Art Community

» Win Art Course
» Art Competition Winners
» Art Competition Archive
» Artwork Critique
» Students Gallery
» Art Articles
» Academy Team
» News

Course Tutor

» Natalie Richy

Fine Art Resources

Watercolor Academy - How to paint in watercolor Life Drawing Academy - How to draw figures and portraits Drawing Academy Anatomy Master Class Art-Fame

Footer

Watercolor Academy

Art Lessons

About Old Masters Academy™
Art Lessons
Personal Tutoring
Free Demo
Old Masters Academy Pricing

Life Drawing Academy

Discover

Art Competition
Old Masters Academy FAQ
Old Masters Academy Reviews
Old Masters Academy News
Fine Art Resources

Drawing Academy

Support & Legal

Contact
Customer Support
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use and Service
Sales & Refund Policy

Anatomy Master Class

Students Area

Members Login
Artwork Critique
Students Gallery
Old Masters Academy Community
Old Masters Academy Team

© 2007-2023 · Old Masters Academy · All rights reserved.